10 Cool Viola Techniques You Probably Didn't Know Existed

10 viola extended techniques that are relatively obscure but sound really cool. Most of these probably also work on other string instruments, but I don’t know for sure since I don’t have a violin, cello, or bass to try them on.

It’s been a while since I made a non-shorts video. I’ve been busier than ever with performances and school this semester, but I think I’m past the worst of it so hopefully I will have time to make more videos. Thank you to everyone in the Viola Kingdom who comes back to watch regardless of time between uploads!

I’m currently working on a movement entirely pizzicato for my second solo viola sonata and using a lot of these ideas.

A few more techniques:

Bartok Pizz.
Circular bowing

(These are generally more well-known so I didn’t include them).

If you know any others, write them down in the comments because I am genuinely fascinated by cool sounds on the viola.

Clips:
Stranger Things Viola Cover:    • Stranger Things Viola Cover  
Garth Knox “9 Fingers”:    • Viola Spaces no 4 - 9 fingers - Garth...  
The Sea Suite for Solo Viola:    • The Sea Suite for Solo Viola (World P...  
Subharmonic Partita by Mari Kimura:    • Subharmonic Partita, by Mari Kimura