Your free sample from Melissa Matson’s new book Exploring Excerpts. Each excerpt in the book has its own practice pages, which include general info about sound, style, history, as well as practice etudes that isolate particular elements (through rhythm practice, bowing patterns, melodic simplification or framework, guide fingers for shifting, etc.). These etudes evolved into detailed lessons for practicing excerpts with focus and intent. Some ideas are fairly standard while others are admittedly a bit wacky - but all are intended to inspire the journey towards the dexterity, reliability, and stylistic versatility of a successful orchestral player.

Most excerpts also have a “mini-score” of the orchestral reduction, arranged for 2-4 violas in order to experience the full harmony or rhythmic feel of the music.