Mel Bay's Gypsy Violin [Paperback]

Mary Ann Harbar (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1997

This book contains practice tips, a helpful glossary, a short essay on the Gypsy touch and a fine assortment of approximately 50 annotated traditional Gypsy tunes from Russia, Romania, Hungary, and Bessarabia. Based on many years of research, travel, and participation in slavas or Gypsy jam sessions, this long-anticipated book makes a significant and colorful contribution to the violin repertoire while providing a thorough grounding in the characteristic elements of the passionate Gypsy style. The CD is a stereo recording of every song in the book at performance tempo with piano accompaniment. Intermediate to advanced.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Mary Ann Harbar earned her Bachelor's degree and teaching credential in music from the University of California, with finishing classical studies and several performances in Switzerland and Italy. Since that time she has apprenticed with folk fiddlers of many nationalities, in addition to extensive transcriptions and studies from performances and recordings. She and her husband Greg have entertained international audiences studded with royalty, heads of state, and stars, with their Houston, Texas band, The Gypsies. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Mel Bay Pubns; Book & CD edition (November 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786608439
• ISBN-13: 978-0786608430
• ASIN: 0786616512
• Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 8.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,762,200 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Gypsy Violin Undertaking, December 15, 2004

By 

Rissarance (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mel Bay's Gypsy Violin (Paperback)

I was so excited to see that this book existed. I purchased it and opened it up immediately. I was classically trained years ago and play folk fiddle, Irish fiddle, old-time, etc... currently. Most people think I'm pretty good, but not at all on a classical scale. Those of you classically trained know what I mean. I'd be intermediate level to a classical musician.
Anyway, this book is NOT for beginners or intermediate players. I would say it is for advance/professional violinists. There are extensive passages in very advanced/high positions and the music is extremely fast. If this is what you are looking for then this book is for you. I actually enjoyed Fiddling Around the World by the same author better (and found the pieces easier to learn).

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wild Gypsy Fiddle for All!, May 1, 2005

By 

Tom Knapp "Rambles.NET editor" (Lancaster, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mel Bay's Gypsy Violin (Paperback)

If the sound of a wild Gypsy violin moves your spirit, Mary Ann Harbar's Gypsy Violin, a tunebook and CD set, is a great place to learn the technique.

The book alone is a wonderful resource. It's packed with about four dozen tunes, many harmony lines and variations included. Guitar chords are a must, and Harbar provides them throughout.

Although not bogged down with text, the book provides brief histories of some tunes, as well as tips for performing them. A brief introduction describes the differences between a Gypsy violinist and her classical or folk counterpart, and suggests tips for practicing in this style. There's also a quick reference chart at the end, since the markings on a Gypsy tune differ somewhat from some styles.

While it might be possible to learn Gypsy techniques straight from the book, the companion CD makes the learning process easier. ... While it might be possible to learn Gypsy techniques straight from the book, the companion CD makes the learning process easier.

This is an exciting style of performance, and we could certainly use a few more fiddlers out there who can play with Harbar's skill and spirit. Fortunately, she's willing to teach us how.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best gypsy book I know!, February 2, 2006

By 

Sergei (United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mel Bay's Gypsy Violin (Paperback)

My 12 year old son was keen to play some gypsy violin. I play guitar (rather badly - can read chords but not classical scores)
We tried several but this is THE best we found.
We played a third of them so far and every single one is a gem.
When we performed at concert then lots of kids and parents asked us what the book was - they really liked the tunes. There were a couple of really spectacular slides in one of them - some people said later they never heard anything like this.

This is not a beginner's book. After 3-4 easy pieces (grade 4?) the rest are for violin level Grade 5-6 UK - (includes 5th position and higher in places). Saying this my kid was so keen on playing them he just had to learn to play in these positions - and he did - BEFORE his teacher taught him any!
Guitar part is simple (sometimes I simplify it even more when I can't play fast enough) but is very nice - there are few slash chords specified (such as A/C# - A major over C# in base) which make standard wamp (I used all the time) sound much more interesting.
If anyone knows a better gypsy/traditional book I'd really want to know - it is so much fun to play through this one!
[e-mail]

PS.Thanks to the author for this great book!
PS2. And NO - I am NOT the author of his best friend!