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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,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?.....pnIrE7_1YA
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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