Websites like or the Viola subreddit (r/Viola) sometimes have threads where educators share legally ambiguous resources. Proceed with caution. You are better off paying for the book to support the publishers who keep this music in print.
: Covers one-string scales, three-octave scales, arpeggios (major, minor, diminished 7ths), double-stops (3rds, 6ths, 8ves), and artificial harmonics. Efficiency
| Feature | Benefit | |---------|---------| | | No shipping; print only the pages you need (e.g., just F major double-stops). | | Searchable text | Quickly find “thirds” or “E-flat melodic minor.” | | No page turns | Use a tablet on your music stand. | | Cost-effective | Usually $10–15 USD vs. $30+ for printed edition. | | Durable | Re-print worn pages; keep a clean master copy. |
IMSLP (International Music Score Library Project) hosts the original 1926 violin version, which is in the public domain in many regions. : Carl Flesch Scale System For Viola Download Pdf
As a viola player, you're likely no stranger to the importance of technical proficiency. A strong foundation in scales, arpeggios, and other technical exercises is essential for mastering the intricacies of the instrument. One of the most renowned and respected scale systems for string instruments is the Carl Flesch Scale System, and in this article, we'll explore how to apply it to the viola.
Originally published as "Das Skalensystem" (The Scale System) for violin, Carl Flesch’s method is not merely a list of scales. It is a comprehensive daily regimen designed to solve every technical problem a string player faces within the framework of one key per day.
For example, a violinist’s C major scale (on the violin) becomes an F major scale for the violist using the same finger pattern. This adaptation is critical, and any quality will account for this shift in clef (using alto clef primarily) and range. Websites like or the Viola subreddit (r/Viola) sometimes
Internet Archive offers free digital borrowing and streaming of various editions of the Flesch system.
As a violist, you have two primary options when searching for a PDF version of this text.
For further study and practice, consider the following resources: | | Cost-effective | Usually $10–15 USD vs
While many scale books exist, the Flesch system is often called "The Daily Prayers" of string playing. It provides a rigorous, 112-page structure that ensures no part of the fingerboard is left unexplored.
While the Flesch Scale System was originally written for the violin, its principles and exercises can be easily adapted to the viola. The viola's larger size and deeper pitch require some adjustments to fingerings and bowings, but the fundamental concepts of the system remain the same.