Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2009 12:17:03 -0700
Subject: Re: Interested in the Violin

One quick question I have. I had said before about me not knowing how to read music... I would like to learn to read music too but would it hamper me being able to actually play the violin without first knowing how to read music? I have friends that have learned to play guitar but can't read a lick of music because they learned by playing tabs. Are there similar things for violin? Also do you think learning to read music is even all that important, or only if I had intentions of playing kinda like in an orchestra or something of that nature? (which i don't)

Thanks always Mickey!

Brandon: Reading music will not necessarily hamper you ... however, it's probably not something to get caught up in when first starting out. It can be quite tedious and uninspiring for the beginning student; I've witnessed this firsthand myriad times. It's really best to start out with a focus on correct positioning and learning exercises, studies and simple melodies that will keep you motivated as a student. After gaining some fundamentals in violin/fiddle application, then it makes more sense to start reading music. For you'll have some proper foundation in technique that will allow you to apply the notes you're reading.

All in all, yes, reading music can be contributory to your advancement on violin. It will allow you more versatility in the long run to learn both by ear and by music. Is it an end in itself? No, not by any means. In combination with ear training, it can be immensely valuable ... whether you play in an orchestra or not.

Tablature for Violin/Fiddle: Interestingly, tablature came long before the dots on staves. Tab is really more of a visual way to read your fingerboard than are notes on staves. The reason? They pinpoint the exact point of reference on the fingerboard. The dots can be interpreted just about anywhere on the fingerboard of the designated note. For instance, a D note can be played on the A string with the 3rd finger, or the D string with the 4th finger ... whereas tab designates the exact string and position being played. Now, as far as Violin/Fiddle tablature, there's very little available ... even though tab can be written for violin/fiddle effectively, it's almost impossible to find. Tab on other fret-based instruments is commonplace.

Here's a book I've had in my library for many years that does have tablature for fiddle:

Beginning Old Time Fiddle
By Alan Kaufman. For Violin, with chord symbols. Sheet Music and Flexi Disk. 112 pages. Published by Oak Publications.
Publisher : Oak Publications

It's a great book and has some really cool obscure fiddle tunes written out.

All my best, Mickey

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Subject: sharps and flats
Date: Sun, 9 Jan 2005 19:27:49 -0000

Hi.
I've decided to start up playing Violin after a break of a few years ( I quit due to a bad teacher ) but ive forgotten almost everything I learnt. I'm teaching myself how to play the music from the Lord of the Rings Trilogy book that I received for Christmas but unfortunately a lot of the music has sharp and flat notes….which I don't know how to play. Could you explain it to me Please? Thank you so much.

Jo

Greetings Jo,

This involves learning your music fundamentals...music theory books abound...find one that's dedicated to the violin...Some of our online lessons reveal sharp & flat positions...however, they do not teach the foundation of music theory.

Music Theory should be taken from page 1...it's not something that allows you to start from the top of the hill...you really need to take it from the very basics...learn the note intervals, how to build harmony, correct meter, etc. and how it all applies to violin. Yes, you can teach yourself these fundamentals...only, correct violin positioning requires a teacher (or a video that teaches positioning in detail such as: "Introduction to the Violin and Fiddle".

Hope this helps, Mickey

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Date: Thu, 5 Sep 2002 22:52:27 EDT

Hello, My name Is Julie Lockwood and I'm 14 years old and in 9th grade. I started playing the violin in 5th grade but stopped then started again in 8th. I missed out on a lot of things that my school taught. I know that each note has a centain number of counts, like the whole note has four, and how the word at the top of the piece like "Allegro" mean how fast to play it but I dont' get what the time signuture is for. Liek the top number is how many beats per measue but what does that mean?? Thanks you for your help. 

~Julie

Greetings Julie,

On a basic level, the time signature sets the heartbeat of the piece.

This rhythmic pace is represented by a top number and a bottom number similar to fractions...

The bottom number represents the chosen unit of measurement...for instance,

Half Note = would be represented by the number "2"

Quarter Note = "4"

Eighth Note = "8"

The top number represents how many beats to a measure...

Therefore, 4/4 would mean that there are four beats to a measure and each beat equals one quarter note.

2/2 would mean that there are two beats to a measure and each beat equals one half note.

Hope this helps...

Mickey

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Subject: Ashokan Farewell and slurs
Date: Tue, 3 Sep 2002 12:00:55 -0400

Dear Mickey,
I have been studying the violin for about 6 months with a teacher. She recently moved 2 hours away and I can only have lessons once a month. So to amuse myself between lessons, I picked up a copy of Ashokan Farewell....hehehe Most of the grace notes I can understand and even play, but some of those slur markings I am completely unfamiliar with (like the slur within a slur ....huh? ) and grace notes within a slur...Is there a place on line that would explain these or barring that, a book I could buy? Sure would appreciate the info! Thanks, Val

PS while I'm here, do you know of a place to buy sheet music of popular music WITH the violin parts? Thanks!

Greetings Valerie,

I love Ashokan Farewell! Yes, a slur within a slur can only mean that there are two lines of notes being played in a counterpoint fashion...grace notes within slurs would also mean the same thing. In other words, harmony notes are being played as slurs, and with grace notes, while the melody is being slurred on top of them...this is the best I can determine without seeing the music in front of me.

Most music, fortunately, is written in treble clef...this means that all melodies are directly transferable to your violin. For popular music on violin (there are complete books written in this genre for violin), try www.halleonard.com

Hope this helps, Mickey