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I'm into my second year playing the violin and have a read a book by Coetzee, "Violin: An Easy Guide ..." and the book rather innocently includes a piece "Theme & 1st Variation" taken from Variazioni di Bravura from Caprice No. 24.
It's just a one page sample and I have managed to get it down. It's a very pleasing tune and not too hard -- if played slowly. I looked it up on YouTube and found this,
The page in the book is just the first 24 measures and as you can see, it can be played very fast.
Clearly a piece to learn and grow with.
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This song is on my bucket list...
I love it. I love Hilary's precision. She just gets me all goosebumpy everytime. David Garrets version is very stellar also. J. Heifetz and I. Perlman...(sp??) ...... oh my stars.... I have bought most versions by the greats and play them to narrate my morning quite often.
ITS just amazing. I listened to all 24 Caprices by Pag, the other morning with coffee and I found many of them to be as enchanting. But 24 is the one that I am most familiar with it. Maybe in 2 years... I can start my Caprice 24 journey.
Thanks for posting. I never ever get tired hearing this one.
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Wow, thanks for sharing @PopFiddle. I can't believe that this piece (even a sample of it!) was included in an "Easy Guide"!!
After watching some videos on Paganini mentioned here, I started reading this blog whose author attempts to play Paganini's 24th Caprice over the span of a year. (I haven't finished reading it yet so I don't know whether he was successful!)
I know that Fiddlerman has a copy of the complete caprices here - I can barely make head nor tail of them! I can hardly figure out where the 24th starts! (I think it's on p. 42???) Certainly a 'bucket list' piece indeed @coolpinkone Congratulations on being able to play through the first page @PopFiddle!
I'd be interested to know whether the version included in "Violin: An Easy Guide" was simplified at all. The reviews of the book look pretty mixed on Amazon. How did you find it/how are you finding it @PopFiddle?
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@PopFiddle
I ordered this book today. Thanks for the tip. 
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Please let me know what you think of it @coolpinkone - I'm interested in the book but shipping is really expensive for me, so I'd love to know if it's worth it!
On the topic of the blog I previously mentioned, I found a book at the library today called "Play it Again: An amateur against the impossible" which is about a guy who decided to learn Chopin's Ballade No. 1 for piano in a year...
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Oh - I found a cheap copy of "Violin: An Easy Guide..." at betterworldbooks.com with free shipping - have just ordered! 
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My copy of "Violin: An easy guide..." arrived yesterday, and I LOVE it! Thanks for the recommendation 🙂
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@RedViolin
I am glad you got your book. It is quite nice don't you think. I haven't played anything from it... but my book was like one cent. I can't recall the shipping.. like 3-4 dollars.
I am happy I got it. Lots of info... I like the composer back grounds and the illustrations as well.
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Oh wow @coolpinkone, that is amazing! I'm not in the US, so shipping is generally very expensive for me. When I first discovered Amazon I found a bunch of books for 1c etc. but when it came to shipping, I was going to have to pay around $20 per item. It turned out much cheaper to buy them new in my country (where available) rather than second hand from the US/UK. So sites like Better World Books are a lifesaver for me as I can pay reasonable prices for second hand books and get free shipping. I think I paid around $8 for my book, and I'm happy with it (an ex-library book but in fabulous condition).
I agree, the composer backgrounds are really fascinating, and I'm learning a lot from the 'playing notes' - I think this will change how I approach new pieces. 🙂
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I am glad you have the book. I really like it. I haven't played from it. I am notorious for buying violin text books and music for my collection. I think I will put a not on my 35 day challenge to actually work a practice each session from the book. From the beginning.
That being said. I need to do that with my Essentials books also.
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Good idea @coolpinkone. I have played the first piece, Andante, a few times, and think it is a good challenge for my level, as well as giving the bit trickier version of Minuet 1 a go, but I think that's about all I can muster for now. The next piece, Bourree, I'm struggling to find a good sample of on YouTube, and I am getting nowhere with the more advanced Minuet, so I think I might retreat to the Suzuki book again for a while! But I do really like this book, especially the way it incorporates information about the composers and suggests ways of approaching the music.
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@RedViolin I meant to get into the book this weekend. I didn't get a chance.
I was working on Ashokan and Minuet this weekend and a Fiddle Tune.
I also re - arranged my violin playing space with my electric.
I hope to play from the book this week. I will keep you posted.
Cheers.
Toni
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Wow @coolpinkone, sounds like you had a busy weekend of violin! Do let me know what you think of it when you get a chance to play from the book Toni, I hope you like it! 
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Ok, I'm going to try and play (at least the start!) from An Easy Guide this year 🙂
Good luck to all in your 2016 goals! 
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redviolin looking forward to hearing about what you think of that version. I have it "out" and it is beckoning me.. I just don't know if it is in my capabilities. I might see if my NY buddy can play it for me so I get a sense of it and then I will have a better shot at it.
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coolpinkone, it's not too bad if you play slowly...
I've muddled my way through the first bit, but the second part I am finding tricky because it seems to be quite different to the recordings I've heard. (I can't work out which bit it's supposed to correspond to on https://fiddlerman.com/wp-cont.....mplete.pdf If you can get your friend to play it I'm sure that would be a great help!
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redviolin I did get it out and muddle through the first part.. which is quite familiar. I too got a bit lost later on in the piece.
I gave me a bit of a thrill to play the first notes though... (big time)
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