How to Play Pizzicato on the Viola

Learning to use pizzicato allows the student to become familiar with the sounds of the four strings and concentrate on "left hand" finger placement, pitch change, very simple tunes and a bit of rhythm without the need of using a bow at this point.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Place the viola between your left shoulder and chin as described in "Holding the Viola".

2. Keep your left hand wrapped around the body of the instrument.

3. Place the right thumb pad at the corner of the fingerboard nearest the bridge.

4. Put the index fingerpad on top of the "C" string and apply a slight bit of pressure.

5. Allow the finger to fall from the "C" string and land firmly on the neighboring "G" string. This plucking action is called pizzicato.

6. Repeat this action 4 times in a steady rhythm using no fingernails.

7. Continue the above exercise on the G, D, and A strings using a steady rhythm provided by a metronome.

8. Speak aloud the name of each of the strings as you "pluck" to make a sound.

9. Mix the sequence keeping the tempo at a slow rate and focus on accuracy.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid "picking" the strings vertically. This can cause a "slapping" sound when the string hits the fingerboard.