The Complete Idiot's Guide to Playing the Fiddle [Paperback]

Ellery Klein (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Complete Idiot's Guide | Publication Date: October 7, 2008

Instructional DVD included. Now play!

Never before has fiddling been so popular?the Riverdance phenomenon, the runaway success of Celtic Woman, and country and bluegrass sensations. Now, anyone can learn to play through the simple, step-by-step lessons provided here by an international expert and professional performer. Illustrated with finger tabs and supported by a unique instructional DVD, this will have budding musicians fiddling in no time.

?Includes a unique 90-minute instructional DVD
?Dozens of tutorial photos and songs to play throughout
?Klein is a seasoned fiddler and professional instructor

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Alpha; Pap/DVD edition (October 7, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592577687
• ISBN-13: 978-1592577682
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #29,791 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lots of info and a pleasant read, October 25, 2010

By 

Anna Frink - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Playing the Fiddle (Paperback)

I've been playing or trying to play the fiddle for years. This book helped me open up to the fun of it and let go of the struggle of trying. Great tips, lots of info, nice tunes. The video is good, could have been more in depth on more subjects but still very useful and a great jumping off place now that so many of my questions have been answered. The author's own playing is very nice, with a free clear sound. I especially liked that she explained the different fiddle styles and gave examples of them. Also that she talked about (and gave examples of) double stopping, droning and alternative tunings. All things I was interested in but hadn't gotten clear information on. A plus for me was that the tunes are written in standard musical notation with finger numbers above. Her advice was to learn by ear and to use the notation and finger numbering as both a backup and as a means of learning or improving your reading skills. I can already feel that it's working well for me. The title of these 'complete idiot' books is a bit difficult for me. On the one hand the title annoys me, but on the other, books in this series usually give a very clear and broad overview of their subject matter, without going into too much depth. For me at this moment in my fiddle experience this was really helpful, though for someone starting from scratch this book might not give enough of the basics needed to begin.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best beginners book out there, March 3, 2011

By 

tommys dad - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Playing the Fiddle (Paperback)

This is such a great resource for beginner and advanced player. Well written and the songs on the dvd cover most styles. I have several popular beginner books but this is the Bible for new players. Learn by ear or by notes with this book you can have both. Many popular tunes well demonstrated by the talented author. Nobody who new to the fiddle can possibly be disappointed with this purchase.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great tips!, July 20, 2010

By 

C. Ferguson "mylifeinea" (High Point, NC) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Playing the Fiddle (Paperback)

By saying I'm a beginner violin/fiddle player is an overestimate of my skills. I bought this book thinking it would be quite a while before I could use it; however, by just flipping through the pages I've picked up on some great tips and hints to help me begin playing. I can tell it's going to be a great resource as I learn to fiddle and improve my technique.