The order most teachers follow
There is no single route through these books. A teacher can choose studies to suit your needs. The table below outlines a common progression, from basic finger patterns to advanced technique.
| Book | Level | What it trains |
|---|---|---|
| Wohlfahrt, 60 Studies op. 45 | Beginner: book 1 in first position, book 2 brings in the third | Détaché and simple slurs, finger patterns, an even sound |
| Kayser, 36 Studies op. 20 | Late beginner to intermediate | Bow strokes and string crossings, then the positions |
| Sitt, 100 Studies op. 32 | Intermediate | One position at a time: book 2 gives five studies to each of the 2nd to 5th positions |
| Mazas, Études spéciales op. 36 | Intermediate | Phrasing, double stops, positions, in longer pieces |
| Dont, 24 Studies op. 37 | Intermediate to advanced | Written as a preparation for Kreutzer and Rode |
| Kreutzer, 42 Studies | Advanced | The reference studies of the advanced level: bow strokes, trills, double stops, high positions |
| Fiorillo, 36 Studies; Rode, 24 Caprices | Advanced | Longer studies, in the high positions |
| Dont op. 35, Gaviniès, Paganini | Virtuoso | Studies played as concert pieces |
Know when to move on
Before choosing a harder study, aim to play your current ones with controlled tone, reliable intonation and a steady tempo. These three checks can help:
- You play your current studies in tune and in time at their tempo, not only slowly
- The next book brings only one new difficulty: a position or a bow stroke, not both
- You can still listen while you play: if all your attention goes to the notes, the study is too hard for now
Skipping a book is common; going back to an easier study to refine a technique is just as useful.
How to practise a study
- Slowly first, then raise the tempo little by little, after each successful run-through
- Section by section: find the bars where you stumble and work on them alone, with the bar before and after
- Change the bowing: Kreutzer's second study is traditionally played with dozens of different bowings, and you can do the same with your studies
- Add rhythms to fast passages: dotted, then reversed dotted, then in groups
- Play it to the end once a day without stopping, as on a stage
The studies in Avilo
Explore over 110 studies by Wohlfahrt, Kayser, Sitt, Mazas and Kreutzer, organised by level and practice goals. Play with the metronome or at your own pace, identify bars to revisit and turn a difficult passage into a focused exercise.
Questions
What études should a beginner violinist play first?
Wohlfahrt op. 45, book 1, is the usual start: short studies in first position on détaché and simple slurs. Kayser op. 20 comes next.
When should I start Kreutzer?
After Kayser and Mazas, once the positions up to the fifth and shifting are secure. Dont op. 37 was written to prepare for it.
Are Wohlfahrt, Kayser and Kreutzer in the public domain?
Their music is: the composers died in the 19th century. Old editions are free, on IMSLP for instance; recent edited editions may still be under copyright.