Customer Reviews

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Playing the Fiddle

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

As a beginning fiddler,I found this book very helpful& entertaining-very detailed ,from the history of the violin, to styles of bluegrass, Irish etc.Great CD with instructions and loads of songs to learn.I only wish there were a few more simple songs for the beginner.

I purchased this book when I first started taking fiddle lessons so I'd have an extra source of practice materials. I set it aside and basically forgot about it for 18 months while I concentrated on learning the music I brought home after each "formal" lesson. The other day I came across it again, began reading, and have found it to be a most thorough and enjoyable resource! Not only has the author researched and provided many details regarding fiddles (like how to care for them) that I had forgotten, but I'm learning a lot of tips I'd not heard of as well. In a way I'm glad I waited until I had several months of fiddle lessons under my belt, but I can see where this book would also be invaluable to the person who is just about to pick up the fiddle for the first time. I have other beginner fiddle books at home that take you right into the music. To have six entire chapters on fiddle basics, care, etc., before you even pick up the instrument makes you feel less of a beginner by the time you get to the DVD and begin playing. I highly recommend this book; would give it 10 stars if I could.

I first checked this book out from the library and found it to be easy to understand and informative, with some great beginning fiddle music to play. Unfortunately, the CD with the library book didn't play. I ordered the book from Amazon, looking forward to having a working CD to play along with. How disappointing to discover that the CD with my new book isn't working and also is not returnable.
NOTE: Some very nice person let me know that this is a DVD, not a CD. Works perfectly and is very instructive. Thanks!

This book goes into a lot o info about the fiddle from taking care of it to playing and is very thorough, but I wish someone would write an entire book for the beginner with songs and CD and such and not cram a 2-5 year progress in one book...just saying.. Still a good book to keep around and refer to while taking lessons

The product was sent exactly as listed. It is a really neat book full of easy to read and learn information.