Mel Bay's Complete Irish Fiddle Player [Sheet music]

Peter Cooper (Author)

Book Description

Series: Complete | Publication Date: November 1, 1998

In his preface, the author reminds the reader that this is not a book for the absolute beginner. Even the experienced player may not "get it" on first reading a given tune, but "You can expect to enjoy the process of learning... [and experience] the joy of recreating a traditional tune, of making it your own." This is the teacher/ student pact in effect throughout this marvelous book, written for the literary as much as the musical connoisseur. Although no classical violin experience is needed, you will need to know how to hold the fiddle and bow, and be able to play at least simple tunes in the first position. Having the ability to read music will enable you to follow the bowing patterns and left-hand techniques which the author feels are crucial in grasping the playing style.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Born in the country near Stafford, England, Pete Cooper began playing the violin at the age of 9 and went on to study English at Belliol College, Oxford. He began his professional career as a fiddler and singer in 1978, performing in Britain, Europe, and the USA first with Appalachian dulcimer player, Holly Tannen, then with traditional singer, Peta Webb. Since the mid 1980s, Peter has concentrated his musical efforts on the study and teaching of folk fiddle styles. His first solo album, All Around the World (1990), released on his own label, Fiddling From Scratch, featured music from Ireland, Scandinavia, Eastern Europe and the USA. His 1993 album, The Wounded Hussar, explores the rich diversity of the Irish tradition and includes many of the tunes in this book The Complete Irish Fiddle Player. Pete currently teaches in London and reviews for Musical Traditions and Folk Roots magazines. He has composed music for film and, in addition to solo gigs, performs with a group called Vivando whose 1995 release by the same name includes some of his own compositions.

Product Details

• Sheet music: 160 pages
• Publisher: Mel Bay Publications, Inc. (November 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786603291
• ISBN-13: 978-0786603299
• Product Dimensions: 11.9 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #438,038 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tommy Peoples Here I Come!, July 19, 2001

By 

Lilting Banshee (Roseburg, OR USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mel Bay's Complete Irish Fiddle Player (Sheet music)

Well, I can dream can't I? Peter Cooper had me playing--using the term loosely--the Irish Washerwoman in no time. Each song introduces a new element to add to your arsenel of Irish fiddling technique: slurs, grace notes, variations, combining tunes into sets, bowing patterns, and on and on. Most tunes are preceded by a brief lesson: advice, a description of what's coming in the next tune, a breakdown of the patterns, or bars or techniques to practice before trying the tune, etc. Tunes progress in difficulty quite quickly for a beginner. I've got a lot to work on already and I'm only up to tune #6. But I'm having a great time and enjoying Mr. Cooper's selections and advice. There are at least seven tunes in this volume that can be found on Bothy Band albums, such as Butterfly (a version of which is also the haunting tune in the film Secret of Roan Inish). In other words, if you like traditional Irish fiddle music, you'll find some of your favorites in this book. Be sure to purchase this book with its companion cd. Cooper plays each tune in the book: it is invaluable to listen to the rhythms and intonation of the tunes played by a real musician. While I'm no expert, it's difficult to imagine a better organized, more inspiring, collection of tunes. If you're in the mood to fiddle, this is a book to try.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars TEN Stars - And order the edition that comes with CDs, January 20, 2003

By 

Richard Tucker, PMP "Super Awesome Guitar Pla... (MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mel Bay's Complete Irish Fiddle Player (Sheet music)

Mr. Cooper has done what so few have done in teaching us to play fiddle. He has progressively placed each tune from simple to moderately complex, beginning to end, through the book. But the best of this book is the (OPTIONAL) two CD version which has him starting at a very easy pace for beginners. Toward the end of CD #2 he is playing at a faster but still followable pace for the student to grasp. Most accompanying CDs are an "Ain't I great?" show of the author's abilities. Instead, Peter Cooper puts away his ego and steps you through how to perform a finger a roll or a slur the Irish way.

I love this book. It gave me the ability to join in at many local sessions with confidence.

Update:
Another reviewer was disappointed that s/he ordered this book, but failed to realize that their book did not come with CDs. These reviews (like this one that you are reading now) are linked to two editions of this book; one that includes 2 CDs, and another (same book) that does not include the CDs. This is a very common situation when buying music instruction books. So, the Reder Reviews can innocently mislead you. Order carefully! Make your item selection on the information from the Web Site Vendor, not from reviewers comments.

If you are an aspiring Irish Fiddler and
- don't have access to a teacher, or
- want additional "tutoring" between your fiddle classes, or
- you're frustrated trying to keep up with the playing speed of other master fiddlers' recordings,
then I highly recommend spending the extra money for the edition of this book that includes 2 CDs. See my earlier review to find out why I appreciate Pete's work on these CDs!

See you at the pub!

LL

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I would give it 10 stars out of 5, October 10, 2006

By 

Ferbose (Pasadena, CA United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mel Bay's Complete Irish Fiddle Player (Sheet music)

This is simply the best book purchase I have ever made.

I learned the violin at 7 and stopped when I was 14. Now at 28 I decided to pick it up again. My friend told me that Irish fiddling is great for solos, and I have to agree. Irish fiddle tunes provide its own rythm so that solo violin does not sound bland. One of the frustrating thing about classical violin is that there are so few pieces written for solo violin, and they tend to be very difficult.

This is a superb instructional book (and make sure you buy the version with the CD). In three weeks I am learning my sixth song and with each song I learn new techniques and idoims. The book starts with simple tunes and becomes increasingly complex and challenging. But even the simple songs are very tuneful and "Irish." The book is much more than a collection of scores but a self-teaching guide to understanding and playing Irish fiddle. Being Asian, I really enjoy all the tales and additional info about Irish music that help me understand where this music comes from. Lacking any talent in violin playing, when I ordered the book I thought it might take a year or so for me to learn something, but now it looks like in three months I can start entertaining my friends with a few tunes.

If I HAD THIS BOOK AS A TEENAGER, I PORBABLY WOULD NOT HAVE STOPPED PLAYING THE VIOLIN BACK THEN.