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Beginner's quandary.
HELP~
Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 (1 votes) 
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Panda-P
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April 6, 2014 - 11:35 am
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I've heard 'Essential Elements' books flying around the forum, but I'm wondering if there are any other good books? I already know how to read music, so if I buy a 'beginner's book' that teaches you how to read music I feel like I'd have wasted (part of) my money.bunny-headbang

I'm just asking because I don't want to play 'Red River Valley' and 'Amazing Grace' for the rest of my violin-playing life.violin-student"Come and sit by my side if you love me~~"

Thank you for reading this~jimi-hendrix

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Photogirl

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April 6, 2014 - 1:19 pm
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I have the Essential Element books and think they are great.

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OldOgre
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April 6, 2014 - 4:29 pm
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you can learn "Amazing Grace" here FM has a great video lesson of it.

I have yet to use a book on the violin, like to see piece proformed I learn quicker.

With violins there is no fretting over the music.

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wookieman
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April 6, 2014 - 5:08 pm
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I would offer the Suzuki Method if you've got a good understanding of music. There's more to the EE books than that. The Suzuki method, and a lot of others operate under the assumption you have a teacher to show you where to place your fingers, how to hold the bow, etc. The EEs operate under the assumption that you are learning in a group setting, and therefore don't get that one-on-one mentorship. In that way, its superior because if goes in depth in those things, which is nice for those of us learning on our own. Hope that helps.

There is no failure, only results.

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Barry
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April 6, 2014 - 7:05 pm
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As an Old Time fiddler I fully expect to play Amazing grace and Red River Valley the rest of my life, thank you

violin-studentparty

 

there is 3 levels of essential element books with lots of good stuff if youre that far advanced I think you could pick whatever you like

There is no shame in playing twinkle, youre playing Mozart

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KindaScratchy
Massachusetts
April 6, 2014 - 7:47 pm
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Barry said
As an Old Time fiddler I fully expect to play Amazing grace and Red River Valley the rest of my life, thank you

violin-studentparty

 

there is 3 levels of essential element books with lots of good stuff if youre that far advanced I think you could pick whatever you like

LOL, Barry. :) Same here.

@Panda-P : I could read music when I started taking violin lessons, having played multiple instruments over the years. My teacher had me go through the first EE book to start, nonetheless, because it taught basic violin skills, not just music reading skills. Ever since I finished that book, we've been working without a method book. Instead, he's been helping me with things like improvisation and specific tunes and techniques that I've identified as those I want to learn.

But, getting back to the subject of method books, you might also consider the Mark O'Connor Method books.

 

When the work's all done and the sun's settin' low,

I pull out my fiddle and I rosin up the bow.

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Schaick
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April 6, 2014 - 8:14 pm
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@ Panda-P  I am using the Suzuki Books with a lesson every 2 months.  I did know how to read music when I started.  If you like Bluegrass, Brian Wicklund has 2 great books.

Violinist start date -  May 2013  

Fiddler start date - May 2014

FIDDLE- Gift from a dear friend. A 1930-40 german copy, of a french copy of a Stradivarius.  BOW - $50 carbon fiber. Strings - Dominants with E Pirastro Gold string.

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Panda-P
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April 6, 2014 - 9:55 pm
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@Barry We should do a duet sometime, then. :)

I bought the EE Books off eBay, should be here in a few days (unless they're on the slow boat from Hong Kong, but whatevs.).

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Barry
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April 6, 2014 - 10:56 pm
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you should start a red river valley project

There is no shame in playing twinkle, youre playing Mozart

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Uzi
Georgia

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April 6, 2014 - 11:16 pm
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There's a wealth of stuff right here:

https://fiddlerman.com/studies.....nd-etudes/

 

Much of it is pretty advanced, but once you've finished the 3 EE books you might want to practice the Wohlfahrt etudes (they are likely the easiest of the lot). 

A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. ~Herm Albright

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Panda-P
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April 7, 2014 - 8:13 am
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@Barry I said I could play it, never said I was good.

@Uzi I'll check it out later.

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Schaick
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April 7, 2014 - 8:53 am
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I'll join in on The Red River Valley!!

Violinist start date -  May 2013  

Fiddler start date - May 2014

FIDDLE- Gift from a dear friend. A 1930-40 german copy, of a french copy of a Stradivarius.  BOW - $50 carbon fiber. Strings - Dominants with E Pirastro Gold string.

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Panda-P
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April 7, 2014 - 11:41 am
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Fine, we'll do a RRV party. But someone needs to start it off, and I don't have a camera. @Barry You wanna do the honors?

Also, do I always have to do math before I post something? It's getting annoying.

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Barry
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April 7, 2014 - 12:03 pm
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started the thread, my video will be up in a few hours  devil-violindancing

 

see how easy it is to get a party started here wink

There is no shame in playing twinkle, youre playing Mozart

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Panda-P
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April 7, 2014 - 9:31 pm
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This went from Method Books to a party. I wonder if this qualifies as thread hijacking.

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Barry
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April 7, 2014 - 9:37 pm
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as you can see by my post count,  ive been here a long time and like to think of it more as the normal progression of things vs hijacking

 

laugh

fish

There is no shame in playing twinkle, youre playing Mozart

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Georganne
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April 8, 2014 - 1:18 am
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Panda-P said
Fine, we'll do a RRV party. But someone needs to start it off, and I don't have a camera. @Barry You wanna do the honors?

Also, do I always have to do math before I post something? It's getting annoying.

No, after a certain number of posts, you don't have to do the math any more.  

 

Opportunity is often missed because it wears suspenders and looks like hard work.

 

Alaska, the Madness; Bloggity Stories of the North Country

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
April 9, 2014 - 7:25 am
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Panda-P said
...........Also, do I always have to do math before I post something? It's getting annoying.

1stimestar is right but I cracked up when I saw your post. LOL
Is the math that much of a drag?
Only 65 more posts for you and it automatically stops. Yeeeee Haaaaa!!!!!!

 

"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."

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Panda-P
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April 9, 2014 - 1:10 pm
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It's not too bad, just annoying. Like that one kid you didn't invite to the party but shows up anyway.

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Mad_Wed
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April 12, 2014 - 5:07 pm
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Fiddlerman said

Panda-P said
...........Also, do I always have to do math before I post something? It's getting annoying.

1stimestar is right but I cracked up when I saw your post. LOL
Is the math that much of a drag?
Only 65 more posts for you and it automatically stops. Yeeeee Haaaaa!!!!!!

 

LOLOLOL! I miss my math duncecap - this, kinda, develops multifunctionality - one have to think about the violin and math matter at the same time XDrofl

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