✨ Join Today & Get 14 Days Free! Start Free Trial →
tonebase Viola Course

Bowstroke Fundamentals

Taught by renowned violist

Richard O'Neill

Join world-renowned viola soloist and Takács Quartet member Richard O'Neill in a comprehensive course on bow stroke fundamentals. The course begins with an exploration of the foundational techniques Colle and Martele, followed by practical exercises utilizing Kreutzer etudes to refine these strokes. Finally, O'Neill demonstrates the application of these techniques in standard viola repertoire, providing invaluable insights to enhance your technical proficiency and musical expression.

  • checkmark icon
    Difficulty: 
    beginner
  • checkmark icon
    Duration: 
    1
     hours 
     hour

Course Syllabus

Collé and Martelé

Join world-famous viola soloist and Takács Quartet member Richard O'Neill as he delves into the foundational bow stroke techniques of Colle and Martele. In this first part of the course, O'Neill provides a detailed exploration of these essential techniques, focusing on their execution, purpose, and role in achieving precise articulation and dynamic control. Through clear demonstrations and insightful explanations, you will learn how to master these strokes, laying a strong foundation for your bowing technique.

Application in Kreutzer Etudes

In the second part of Richard O'Neill's course, discover effective practice methods for Colle and Martele strokes using a selection of Kreutzer etudes. O'Neill guides you through targeted exercises within these etudes, offering practical tips and strategies for incorporating the foundational techniques into your daily practice routine. This section emphasizes the importance of disciplined practice and provides you with the tools to refine your bowing skills through focused and structured exercises.

Application In Repertoire

Conclude your study of bow stroke fundamentals with Richard O'Neill by learning how to apply Colle and Martele techniques to standard viola repertoire. In this final part, O'Neill demonstrates the practical use of these bow strokes in various musical contexts, showcasing excerpts from well-known viola pieces. Through these demonstrations, you will gain a deeper understanding of how to seamlessly integrate Colle and Martele into your performances, enhancing your musical expression and technical proficiency.

Click here to download the course workbook PDF and see the full syllabus →
Access this course and hundreds more.

Click below to access hundreds of exclusive cello courses, available only on tonebase.

Unlock Course →
Richard O'Neill
meet YOUR INSTRUCTOR

Richard O'Neill

Violist of the Takács Quartet, Richard O'Neill is an Avery Fisher Career Grant recipient, GRAMMY and EMMY Award winning violist.

read full bio →
Richard O'Neill
explore our courses

Join today to unlock 100s of courses!

Preview our curated selection of courses below. With lessons covering fundamentals, technical training, style and interpretation, you won't find a more thorough and enriching learning experience anywhere else.

preview
Karen Tuttle Coordination Technique

with Kim Kashkashian

preview
Walton: Viola Concerto

with Ettore Causa

preview
Bowstroke Fundamentals

with Richard O’Neill

preview
Stamitz: Concerto in D major, Op. 1

with Matthew Lipman

preview
Principles of Practicing Scales

with Paul Laraia

preview
Hoffmeister: Concerto in D major

with Muriel Razavi

preview
Bowstrokes: A Comprehensive Guide

with Christian Kim

preview
Practice Strategies

with Dimitri Murrath

preview
Music Theory Basics

with Ben Laude

Real reviews from real customers.

Our members rate us at 4.8/5 stars. Here’s how a few of them transformed their viola skills since joining tonebase.

“Instead of scouring the internet for hours for performance tips and tricks, I now have access to a wealth of high-quality content from renowned artists at my fingertips!“

Omid S.

joined Sep. 2022

“Sincerely speaking, a few months with tonebase help me solve many issues I have had with my fingers for years if not decades.“

Giao P.

joined Mar. 2021

“We [in the community] all give each other wonderful, positive feedback. The teachers also give incredibly detailed ways that we can improve our playing."

Eric P.

joined Apr. 2020

Ready to begin learning?

Start your 14-day free trial today!

All plans include:
  • Unlimited access for 14-day free trial
  • Full 90-day satisfaction guarantee
  • Access to 100s of video lessons & courses
  • Structured & guided course content
  • Free PDF workbooks & annotated scores
  • Feedback from our active Community
  • Bonus: The Ultimate Practice Toolkit

Monthly

$
49.95
/mo
Billed monthly
Give tonebase a try with our Monthly plan. Cancel anytime or upgrade your plan later when you find it’s a good fit.
Select Monthly
Best Value - save 50%

Yearly

$
24.95
/mo
Billed at $299 yearly
Make music your priority for the next 365 days and save BIG with our most popular plan. You’ll be amazed what a year with tonebase can do…
Select Yearly

Lifetime

$
895
/once
Billed just once
Ready to invest in your future education? Get our Lifetime plan and gain full, unlimited access to tonebase for life!
Select Lifetime