Reviews for Scale System for Reluctant Scale Enthusiasts from Leading Violists:

"The study of scales is fundamental to the maturation of all string players. Scales, in the correct format, address every aspect of proper left hand development. What follows in these pages is a methodical and well organized system of scale practice and is a “must” acquisition for all violists.
It is truly a completely comprehensive study tool for cognitive study of scales, arpeggios and double stops, including the study of harmonics. I am pleased to wholeheartedly and unequivocally recommend this scale book to violists. You will find it helpful as a teaching tool as well as of daily assistance in contributing to the furtherance of your craft and technical proficiency."
-Robert Vernon: Co-Head, Viola, Cleveland Institute of Music and Former Principal Viola, The Cleveland Orchestra

“I think that this is not just another scale book. It is a new method that introduces new revolutionary exercises and is so simple to use that I will now regularly assign it to my students for their advanced scale practice.”
-Misha Galaganov: Division Chair of Strings and Professor of Viola, TCU

“Brava, Olga D. Kaler! You have made a very comprehensive and user-friendly scale book for violinists and violists. It does indeed build upon the Flesch and Galamian scales with added elements that are useful such as ornamented scales and trilling exercises for left hand agility. Your ideas on how to incorporate vibrato and bow technique into scale patterns are excellent. Thank you for your time and excellent work. This will surely help strengthen the young artist’s technique as well as the pedagogue’s “bag of tricks” to aid their student’s progress in the art of violin and viola playing.”
-Karen Dreyfus: Solo Violist, Recording Artist, Viola Professor, USC Thornton School of Music

This scale system is intended for use by advanced viola students, professional violists, and teachers alike. It addresses the same needs as the methods of Galamian and Flesch but differs in the way that the scales are organized, including suggestions for bow technique and vibrato maintenance as well as new techniques not found in other systems. Also included is an ornamented scale that incorporates the trill element into scale work; not only does it improve finger dexterity but helps to develop coordination for passagework in repertoire. The ornamented scale in thirds presents significant challenges to the performer and helps to develop awareness of slurred string crossings while also executing consecutive shifts. It is particularly challenging in the keys where the use of open strings is not possible, but the benefit of incorporating these scales into one's practice routine is indisputable. This is clearly demonstrated by Mr. Heifetz, who used ornamented scales in thirds in his own daily practice. These scales help to further one’s knowledge of the fingerboard and to improve the overall sense of intonation.

Time constraints often prevent many musicians of our generation from focusing on developing and maintaining their technique through the careful practice of scales. With this in mind, I have created this scale system based on over twenty years of teaching and performing. This system allows a violist to go through all major and minor scales within a period of twelve days. Using this system, a violist who has reached a complete level of comfort with the scales at the suggested speeds will require no more than half an hour per day to go through all of the techniques suggested here twice, including bow strokes, double-stops, and harmonics.

In my recently published work, An Effective Method For Teaching And Studying Violin Technique, I focused on dissecting and analyzing each individual violin technique and created a system of developmental exercises leading up to a level to which this scale system is the next logical step.

-Olga Dubossarskaya Kaler