I love the fact that scales are such a great vehicle for learning different skills on the viola! Scales can and should be much more than just playing notes in order in a particular key in a particular set of places on the viola; they can also be used for learning rhythm and bowing skills. These free viola scale bowing variations give you new ways to work on tone, bow control, and more. 

Quick Answer

Scale bowing variations help violists improve bow control, tone, articulation, rhythm, and coordination while making scale practice more effective and engaging. Instead of practicing scales with the same bowing every day, changing slurs, articulations, rhythms, and bow distribution helps strengthen right-hand technique and build greater flexibility in playing.

Bowing variations can help violists:

• develop smoother string crossings
• improve bow distribution
• strengthen articulation control
• create a more even tone
• coordinate the left and right hands more effectively

Many teachers use scale bowing exercises because the bowing patterns transfer directly into viola repertoire and technical studies.

Today in the blog, we’re going to focus on using a simple C major scale to work on viola bowing. Now, the possibilities here are endless. I could start writing today and never ever reach the end of variations I could make with this scale. But there are other books to write and so I will stop at 15 pages for this little booklet. Of course, I’ll probably come back every once in awhile with another blog post on scales; scale variations are a bit of a passion of mine!

Scales are helpful because they are so predictable. You know what’s coming and the notes (at least in these scale pages) are fairly easy. But that doesn’t mean you should turn off reading and play from memory just yet; I have some breaks in the pattern built into these scale pages to help keep your attention while you play.

Scale variations are a perfect way to multitask. Variations are a great way to train your left and right hands to be more coordinated and also a great way to make your practice even more efficient; you’re working on multiple skills at once!

Feel free to make variations on the variations! Boredom lets you turn your brain off and can be the opening for building bad habits! Viola technique should never be taken for granted; every minute of your practice should be spent actively trying to improve. 

Varying the exercises can help you stay focused. I play different pages of scale exercises every day (that’s one reason why I had to write so many books!) These variations can be played on any scale but they’re simplest on a 2-octave scale that starts on an open string.

If you’re looking for more scale variations, First Position Scale Studies has variations on one-octave scales and The Two Octaves Book has variations on two-octave scales!

Here are some more variations: slur patterns, string crossing, and more!

Want a PDF of these? See below!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should violists practice scale bowing variations?

Scale bowing variations help violists strengthen bow control, articulation, rhythm, and coordination. Practicing scales with different bowings challenges the right hand in multiple ways and helps develop more reliable viola technique. Bowing exercises can also make daily scale practice feel more musical and interesting.

What are bowing variations for viola scales?

Bowing variations are different ways of organizing notes within the bow, including slurs, separate bows, hooked bowings, rhythmic patterns, and articulation changes. Violists use bowing variations to improve string crossings, bow distribution, tone consistency, and right-hand coordination while practicing scales.

How do scale bowings improve viola technique?

Scale bowings help violists isolate and strengthen important technical skills such as:

• smooth bow changes
• even tone production
• controlled string crossings
• articulation clarity
• bow distribution
• rhythmic precision
• coordination between the hands

Because similar bowing patterns appear constantly in viola music, practicing varied scale bowings can make difficult passages easier to learn and perform. 

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