Prior to the emergence of the viola as a solo instrument in the twentieth century, the viola was often treated like a bigger violin. This has led to a lack of clear and consistent pedagogy for left-hand technique on the viola. The purpose of this project is to offer a resource for left-hand technique specifically for the viola, with an emphasis on areas which there is a lack of other written material. Violists often have preconceived notions about left-hand technique, stemming from ideals of violin technique which often use a different approach from what is needed or helpful on the viola. This can greatly hinder potential fluency and expressive freedom for violists and can even lead to physical harm. Additionally, the absence of a uniform size and shape for violas combined with the unique body of the player make standardization of left-hand technique nearly impossible, requiring violists to analyze technique in an individualized manner. In order to enable violists to discover healthy and fluid body motions in relation to particulars of their specific viola, the techniques will be primarily approached as movement. Part One equips the violist to take ownership of their technical journey with an exploratory mindset, a somatic viewpoint and discovering body balance with the viola. Part Two applies these concepts to left-hand balance, finger articulation, and navigating the shoulder bouts while dispelling common misconceptions and interweaving basic anatomical information alongside practical exercises and examples from the repertoire.
My goal in this dissertation is to empower violists on a path towards greater technical ease and fuller expression by approaching left-hand technique as an individualized exploration of body movement and musculoskeletal understanding.