Publisher Desc.  So, you want to learn how to play the viola? Awesome! But you've heard that it's really hard and takes years of practice just to be able to produce a beautiful sound? That's not so awesome. Well, the good news is that it's simply not true. If your goal is to become a virtuoso (achieve a very high level of technical mastery), yes, it will take 10,000 hours of dedicated practice, with the help of a great instructor. But, learning how to play the viola, making beautiful sounds, and most importantly enjoying the process, can be done quickly. You'll need a decent viola with a good set-up, the Learn Viola Fast method books, and most importantly a positive attitude and a good work ethic. A little practice with lots of frequency will go a long way. How do I know that my method works? I have helped hundreds if not thousands of students, who love playing the viola, enjoy the process of learning new music, and have fun playing by themselves, in small chamber groups, or larger ensembles such as youth and community orchestras. For the process to make sense, it needs to follow a certain progression. First you must learn some musical concepts and the mechanics of the viola to know how it all works. If this crucial step is skipped, when you move on to more complicated techniques such as shifting and playing with flats and sharps, you'll simply be overwhelmed, get frustrated, and possibly quit. I've seen it time and again, trust me. This knowledge phase is one of the most important pillars of learning how to play the viola well and quickly. All three Learn Viola Fast books contain numerous explanations, with "this is important" highlights, visual diagrams, and quizzes to test your newly learned knowledge. Pictures of particular steps and techniques visually illustrate how to perform all of the tasks. By understanding how and why to do something, your body, hands, and fingers will more easily be able to execute strange and new motions. In short, here is what you will learn in each of the three books. Book 1 - Basics. You will learn how music and the viola works; how to play simple songs; learn and understand music notation. Book 2 - Right hand. The primary focus of this volume is on how to use the bow to produce beautiful sound, how to manipulate sound to create meaning, as well as how to play with a low second finger. Book 3 - Left hand. You will learn all the left finger placements, shifting, vibrato, chords and more. Are you ready to learn one of the most beautiful instruments in the world? Then follow me on this journey to learn viola fast!