wookieman said

My question here is for any and everyone.  What else should I be learning?  I'm studying and practicing from my method book, and they've certainly brought me a LONG way, but I'm afraid I'm missing something.

I will third the motion for scales! Scale work also includes the intervals, arpeggios and speed drills so its not just playing a boring scale up and down for hours. Also all the classical and newly composed classical style pieces have scalular runs, so scales enable you to prepare for future pieces.

The real question, is what else should I be studying?  What are the critical pieces I should eventually learn to really develop as a violinist?  Who are the composers I should study in order to further enhance my development and appreciation for the instrument (I'm kinda partial to classical, but I'm sure there are others, and "classical is a broad term).

Bach's Air (on a G string) in Dmaj is a pretty tune that Juan introduced me to. Its not super difficult. Since its painfully slow, it forces you to work on intonation and bowing, tone. The next piece I am about to start is Vivaldi's concerto in A minor, Op.3, No. 6, 1st mvt. There is actually a free google hangout class that is going to be teaching this starting next week I can hook you up with if you have webcam and google plus?

I don't think that any of the method books out there are really "all encompassing."  I personally will never go to college as a "violin" major, so I'm curious, what are those kids learning that the rest of us don't? 

I couldn't tell you but I bet Pierre could.....I'm interested in finding this one out.

Digging deeper in my line of questions:  before method books, what was the "standard" or "classic" way of learning?  What did students study then?  What did Jascha Heifetz study, I know he played Mendelssohn, but what did he study that got him to that point?

From what I understand you went to a "master" and they taught you what they new based on the "master" they learned from. Thats why from Joshua Bell back you can trace the "Lineage" of masters and those they studied under. But, I will defer to Pierre on this one as well.

How do I get past playing "performances" from method books, and start playing concertos?  What is it (besides years of playing) that will bridge that gap for ME (us really)? 

Its about the Nike slogan...."Just Do it!" as far as feeling comfortable or skilled enough, I am in my 3rd year of playing and I am just now getting to the point where my fingering speed and mental ability is up to the task, almost and just barely. Being able to process the notes at tempo, finger them and make it sound nice is key so I would focus on those aspects of improvement. I am also making a concerted effort to get the vibrato going.

Any and all thoughts are welcome.....

 

At the bottom here I have attached my current practice list. At the bottom of the first sheet it lists the workbooks recommended by my teacher to get and work through. Dont get them all at once, they are for different experience levels. Get the book on shifting as your next one and then so on. Maybe consult someone who has experience with this in a music store or orchestra. Also on page two is an excellent example of how one successful person approaches scales. It is interesting to note that they are played at 60bpm so she can focus on intonation, bowing etc... I also recommend that if you are opposed to a practice list, at least have a journal so you can write down difficulties as a reminder of things to add to your eventual practice list. lol. Good luck!