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Hi everyone,
I've been playing for about a month now and am making progress, albeit very slowly...
I've been learning from this great site, but I have been thinking about getting a book to work through as well. I have been told that the Suzuki method requires a teacher, which is unfortunately not possible for me at this time. I do have some background in music already, so I am making some progress learning on my own.
Does anyone have any suggestions for a book that is good for a beginner to learn on independently? I live in an area that is rural so there aren't any music stores where I can go looking at violin books, which means I'll probably be ordering anything from amazon. Any advice is greatly welcomed!
Thanks for all the help!
Would you say you were an "adult" beginner?
Don't just leap into Suzuki. I think enormously that it is way over rated.
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I mostly use this Site with all the tutorial video's and sheet music, but before I found FM I purchased a book called May Bay's Beginning FIddle Solo's by Stacy Phillips. It starts out with simple tunes ( and adds complexity as you go. It also comes with a CD for each song and I found one nice feature is that all the Fiddle Music is on the right channel and all the back-up ( Guitar ) is on the left channel. So I can just turn the speaker balance to the left and then try to play along with guitar ( Well that is if I ever get good enough )
Any way that is what I have.
I imagine that you are younger rather than older and unfortunately I do not know the most current books/methods for young students. I did some Suzuki up to book 3 and with CD's but I was not impressed.
If you are a late teenager or older, there is a very popular book from Mel Bay.
VIOLIN METHOD by FRANK ZUCCO. Mel Bay MB93474. My copy was $10.95.
This book has exercises and songs and the author is a great teacher.
In any case, don't sacrifice practicing technique for the purpose of playing songs. Songs are easier once technique under control.
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Oliver - I am just under thirty years old. I know the suzuki method was developed and is primarily for children, but I have heard so much about it that it immediately came to my mind when thinking about getting a book. Thank you for your opinion on the suzuki books. I will heed your advice and look elsewhere. The Zucco book sounds interesting though... have you gone through this one personally or do you know it by reputation? In any case, thanks for your input. (Also, I am trying to focus on my technique primarily as you suggested, but this is proving to be the most difficult part of learning violin...)
CGBownut - Thanks for your suggestion. I like the idea of being able to hear either the guitar part, the violin part, or both together for all of the songs. I wonder if they did it that way on purpose... ? In any event, it sounds like it has turned out to be a great tool for learning. Like you I am thrilled to have access to this great site and use it exclusively (although at my current skill level I can barely play anything at all... lol).
@MrBison I have used/referred to the Zucco book for years. It is not the most celebrated of method books but the author seems to know exactly what an adult novice needs to focus on.
With good technique you acquire a repertoire and sound better also 
I also mixed in a lot of "recreational" playing and now, 5 years later, I am still paying for it and slowly trying to close the gap.
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