Customer Reviews

Basics: 300 Exercises and Practice Routines for the Violin by Simon Fischer

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

 

 

This text contains many little tips and tricks that will keep your left and right hands comfortable and ready, so that when it comes time to perform any piece you will be ready.

This is an easy to understand, start at the beginning or not type of manual, intended for students that are more advanced at playing violin. You can troubleshoot each issue you may experience by heading toward the chapter that discusses issues of playing - either at the bow or the instrument itself.

The pictures are spot on, and show many angles of many issues, with some right and wrong examples of holding the instrument, the bow, finger placement, etc. as well as giving you many measures of songs to assist in the practice of some difficult to play passages to help with your playing style.

Pick one of these up if you can, you will not be disappointed.

Of all the violin pedagogy materials I have, this is the one that gets actually gets used the most. It's also the most expensive book, but sometimes you have to spend more to get excellent, in-depth info. The written text is very clear, precise, and supported by excellent photos, which show hand positions with very minute changes of angle or muscle usage (very difficult to photograph). I only wish this was spiral bound to lay flat, and may take the time to have my copy's spine shaved down and ring-bind it. My only reason for 4 stars versus 5: very preliminary "Pre-Twinkle" information needs expansion.

This book is just amazing. I am a viola player but I teach violin, and this book can be applied for both instruments. My professor at Florida State uses this book to teach and I find it very helpful in the practice room. The exercises are just great, and there really is an answer to all your questions somewhere inside this book. I can't imagine not having this book to complete my practice and teaching.

Basics explores a variety of technical skills, providing several excercises for each. The exercises I've read and tried are explained well and are accompanied by photographs- easy to explain to students.