Customer Reviews

Mel Bay American Fiddle Method, Vol. 1 (Book & CD)

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I wanted to learn how to play the fiddle, and had absolutely no knowledge about any instrument, and notes, and "how notes worked".
I bought this book, along with a dozen other "beginner" books, but the only one I really ever needed to get started was this wondeful book, which shows finger placements, and "where" the notes are "placed" on the violin, and after only two weeks, I was playing a beautiful irish song "The Arran Boat Song", which was easy to learn, after listening to the CD (Which by the way, is so beautiful, that I sometimes just put on the CD, as background music, at home).
-Can be truly recommended to any beginner (and intermediate) player of the fiddle!

I studied classical violin many years ago and never played fiddle
tunes. After picking up the violin again recently I found and bought both volumes of this fiddle method and am truly enjoying learning a tune every few days. The songs are graded from easy
to difficult, with a good mix of tempo and keys. This is a wonderful, fun method. The CD is an excellent learning tool - listen and play along!

I am just learning to play fiddle. I already know how to read music and play a little trumpet, french horn, piano and guitar. But fiddle is new to me and this book is a terrific beginner book. I really enjoy the cd play along, it makes it much more fun to feel like you are having a jam session. I don't have other musician's around to play with so I really like the cd. The book is easy to follow, and has served me well as my teacher, since there are also no fiddle teachers where I live. I would definitely recommend this book. I am looking for more book/cd combos like this one so that I can continue to improve my fiddling.

I bought this book so I could get a head start on an Intro to Fiddle class. I also got the DVD. I couldn't be happier. It's a great companion to my class and gives me some extra practice material when I get through the songs we learn in class. The author does a great job of explaining techniques and giving tips. It's like having a tutor in addition to the class teacher.

My 9-year old daughter started classical violin 8 months ago. I bought her this book so she would have something different to play than her Suzuki music. She's already mastered book one and is in to book two. She has so much fun with the sons and, though her teacher works on some of them with her, she has learned many of the fiddle techniques just by reading the text in the book and listening to the CD.

My daughter's favorite selection is "Stinky Blues," which was written by Brian Wicklund.

I was so pleased when my 14 year old beginning guitar student learned the chords to a few of the songs and now they occasionally play along together.

My only question: When does book 3 come out?

I started lessons about 18 months ago (I'm 46). I have a great teacher who makes the violin and my lessons a wonderful diversion.

We had been working on a variety of stuff including Suzuki and many other beginner books. This one is the best by far. I'm not sure I could handle the stuff without my teacher - but the presentation is great as are the song selection.

I started playing the violin again at 44 after giving it up in middle school. The book is good and I actually bought it before i found an violin teacher and it was one she recommended.

The book has been immediately enjoyable for a beginner. I was able to play along with the CD with little confusion. I really enjoy the songs too.

We love this book and CD. My 5 year old is learning the fiddle and spends hours studying this book and listening to the CD. He just started the violin one month ago and can already play "shave and a haircut."

For the beginning and wannabe fiddler, such as I, this is an excellent book. It explains well and does not assume the user is already an expert. It is not a substitute for practicing, but if the fiddler is willing, this is book a big help.