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Date: Fri, 3 Apr 2009 12:03:34 -0600
Subject: Re: adult beginner violin book

Hi,

Is there such a thing as a beginning violin book for adults that have beginning songs that aren't "mary had a little lamb", and other such juvinile songs? I took violin lessons from the 4th grade through High School. Recently, in my 60's, I have purchased another violin and started trying to relearn. It seems that all of the beginning books have the juvinile songs in them. I played them over 40 years ago and would now like to relearn with some music that is closer to my age.

Thanks for any help that you can give me.

Jim

Greetings Jim,

Thanks for writing ... and, yes, I agree with you wholeheartedly.

I also took violin back in 5th grade elementary ... and remember those times well. Yes, the tune of the day was Twinkle, Twinkle ... my teacher would get mad at me because I refused to read the music; I preferred playing by ear at the time.

It's great to hear that you've picked up the violin again. With the right learning materials, it will be fun and inspiring. My suggestion would be to check out the list of violin/fiddle books:

http://www.playbetterbluegrass.com/beginning_old_time_fiddle_3740_prd1.htm

This is one of my personal favorites ... however, it is dedicated to the fiddle not violin (classical).

Mel Bay has quite a few violin titles at:
http://www.melbay.com/

I have an introduction to both violin and fiddle at:
http://www.folkofthewood.com/page3695.htm

I introduce the stark beginner to the violin/fiddle with folk tunes and basic classical tunes:
The D Scale - "Dixie"
The Am Scale -
"House of the Rising Sun"
Lifting the Bow -
"Beethoven's Ninth"
The Shuffle Bow
Vibrato - "Oh Shenandoah"
Your First Celtic Melody -
"Loch Laven Castle"

Feel free to write anytime ... I'd be glad to assist you through your learning journey.

All my best,

Mickey Cochran

Folk of the Wood
Mystic West Products
Acoustic Music Instruction
PO Box 2810
Alto, New Mexico 88312

http://www.folkofthewood.com

http://www.mysticwestproducts.com

Subject: Re: adult beginner violin book
Date: Fri, 3 Apr 2009 19:45:00 -0500

Thanks Mickey for the speedy reply. I too am plagued with the divine gift of playing by ear. As the story goes my Grandmother, at a young age, was given piano lessons. She took one lesson and refused to take any more. Right up to her death she could play more songs by ear than I could ever remember. I can play the harmonica, violin and viola by ear. Therefore I need to find some books that make me read the notes and the timing. The only way to do that is to find a book that has songs in it that are unfamiliar to me. I know that that might not be totally possible, as I have heard a lot of songs in my 64 years, I need something to challange me on an adult level. I will check out your suggestions and I have your website bookmarked. I have already printed out some Acoustic guitar open g tuning: forward rolls #1 to toy with on my guitar. I love music. I just wish I had more time to devote to it.

Thanks again,

Jim

Thanks so much for your clarifying your needs further.

You might look into the more intermediate-advanced Suzuki Books. I have a few in my library and there are some great light classical pieces ... some of which you heard, and some of which I'm sure you haven't. It's one of the better methodologies I've seen for learning to read standard notation on violin.

All my best,

Mickey Cochran

Folk of the Wood
Mystic West Products
Acoustic Music Instruction
PO Box 2810
Alto, New Mexico 88312

http://www.folkofthewood.com

http://www.mysticwestproducts.com

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Date: Mon, 3 May 2004 09:50:47 -0700

Hello,

I have been playing the fiddle for almost a year now, beginning with a classical instructor and then moving on to an Irish fiddle instructor. Although my concentration will probably remain Irish music I wanted to learn more about Appalachian fiddling. I found a book entitle "Appalachian Fiddle" but can't find any reviews. Could you tell me anything about this book or other potential instruction material. Thanks for your help.

Regards,

Mark

Greetings Mark,

I happen to own a copy of "Appalachian Fiddle" I picked up in the early '80s...

"58 transcriptions of breakdowns, jigs, hornpipes and modal tunes based on the playing styles of traditional Appalachian fiddlers."

Written by Miles Krassen Published by Oak Publications

It's a very descriptive book that seems to cover this approach very well...it includes some very useful sections for the beginner such as:
1. Double-Stop Locations: It has a list of diagrams showing the two-string note positions visually...
2. It covers the 4 main key centers for fiddling: G, D, A and C...and has a chapter dedicated to learning these four keys...these four keys are illustrated by diagrams and by standard notation allowing the student to learn the notation as it relates to the position illustrated visually. (Great concept in teaching fiddle!)
3. Each key is then reinforced by songs, written in standard notation, with a dedicated chapter.

It's a great book...makes for a great reference book for older traditional melodies...it's not really written for the stark beginner...I believe it's written for the advanced beginner to the intermediate level. My suggestion would be to start out with a methodology video to ensure that you gain a solid footing in the basis of fiddling technique (or to continue with a personal instructor)...then you can pick up a book like this and find it far easier to tackle. It sounds like you may already be well accomplished to take on this book...best of luck in your research efforts, Mickey

Mickey

Subject: RE: Appalachian Fiddle Book
Date: Mon, 3 May 2004 13:37:08 -0700

Thanks again for all your help. This is the second time I have written you and both of your responses have been very informative. Thanks for the great work.

McClier, Preservation Groupy

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Date: Tue, 9 Dec 2003 07:27:22 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Classical Violin

Hello! I am an adult who desires to learn classical violin. Could you please compile a beginners book/video combination that would meet my needs? I'd greatly appreciate it. Also, what are your feelings about adults learning to play the violin? I once heard that in order to ever achieve any perfection in playing violin, you have to start young. Is this true? Will I ever (I'm 31 now) be able to achieve a high level of playing proficiency? Thanks!!

Greetings,

Glad to assist if I can:

There are many good videos out today on learning to play violin:

Mel Bay Publications:
94582 - Easy Solos for Beginning Violin
Summary: by Craig Duncan - This collection of level-1 solos for violin with keyboard accompaniment are taken from folk and classical melodies. Created especially for use as a solo supplement to any first-year string method or private instructional course, these solos are an ideal Suzuki supplement, and a per...

99292BCD - First Lessons Violin
Summary: by Craig Duncan - This text presents beginning violin technique and basic music-reading fundamentals, with an emphasis on the use of melodies and classical pieces to teach each new concept. The 28 lessons include basic technique and reading skills, scales in the keys of A, D, G, and C as well as bow...

On video, I'm not too sure...I've seen some really good fiddle videos...only violin methodology, I haven't found to date...we have a video out titled: "Intro to the Violin and Fiddle" which offers a good overview on methodology for both violin and fiddle. However, if your focus is solely violin, I would recommend looking for a video dedicated to violin study and methodology.

Now, as far as taking up violin later in life, I totally disagree with what you've heard. It's never too late to take up violin...no doubt, it's one of the most difficult instruments to learn...even so, the learning journey should be fun and rewarding at any age. If you're aspiring to become a concert violinist, it might be a challenge to attain as you attempt to learn in later years...even so, nothing is impossible. I, personally, have taken up the violin seriously only of recent years...and am having a blast on the learning journey...in fact, my instructional video illustrates this learning process as a fun journey...and, the simple fact is, that no matter how good we become at playing violin...we're all still students of the instrument.

I hope something here helps, Mickey

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