The Contemporary Violinist: Book/CD Pack [Paperback]

Julie Lyonn Lieberman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1999

Learn some of the most important fiddle and violin styles in the world! With this book and the help of the practice CD, players will be guided through dozens of left- and right-hand exercises and tunes designed to help develop the feel of a variety of styles and ways they can be used for improvisation. Includes an introduction by Turtle Island String Quartet, and photos and quotes from dozens of musicians. Author Julie Lyonn Lieberman has also written Improvising Violin, You Are Your Instrument and Planet Musician, and has taught thousands of string players worldwide how to improvise through her workshops and private lessons. "Lieberman presents a veritable who's who of fiddle players that philosophize on the essence of their music. Reading The Contemporary Violinist, you are struck by what a kaleidoscope of string styles the 20th century has conjured up" - American String Teacher

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Éa musical delight right from the start, opening up new musical horizonsÉ. a landmark editionÉhighly recommended.Ó -- Jazz Educators Journal, 1996

Improvisational styles include: BeBop, Bluegrass, Blues, Cape Breton, Cajun, Country, Gypsy, Irish, Klezmer, Latin, Old-Time, Rock, Swing, and Tango -- (Pubcomments)

ÒThe books guides players through dozens of exercises designed to help develop the feel of each of sixteen styles." -- School Band and Orchestra, 1996

ÒÉa veritable whoÕs who of fiddle playersÉa kaleidoscope of string styles." -- American String Teacher Journal, 1995

ÒÉplayers are guided through dozens of exercises and tunesÉand how each can be used as a vehicle for improvisation.Ó -- Chamber Music America, 1995

From the Publisher

Features a preface by Turtle Island String Quartet.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Huiksi Music Company (August 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1879730073
• ISBN-13: 978-1879730076
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,217,363 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic for exploration of musical styles!, January 25, 2010

By 

ForsakenPhantasm (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Contemporary Violinist: Book/CD Pack (Paperback)

I recommend this book to everyone, including plugging it all over an electric violin forum I moderate! I love how not only does this book touch on many different styles, but goes into detailed and specific divisions of each general style. I also love that not only is there technical information to go along with each section, but focus on a specific master of each genre as well as text on the history and other details surrounding the development of each style of playing.

The information at the beginning of the book, explaining step-by-step how to develop your own ear for improvisation, was quite awesome as well. So many violinists aren't trained in this area, despite its crucial role in music throughout the centuries, including baroque works! I make sure all my students are able to improvise, if not fluently at least in an exploratory fashion, because I feel it's a crucial skill to develop as a musician of any genre, and was really happy to see Julie go into such depth about it in this book, as well as adding in stylistic pointers and notes on playing rhythm violin (something a lot of people are apparently shocked to see me do on the violin!) as well.

I also really enjoy playing along with the cd track. It makes everything make a lot more sense to get a feel for each style of playing as intended by Julie, not just the interpretation in my mind (which isn't accurate very often, and while I'm all for personal style, sometimes you have to learn the correct way first!).

Overall, this book has five stars for content, both in quality and quantity, and I highly recommend it to all violinists looking to venture past their Suzuki upbringings ;-)

11 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars musician's best buy, April 8, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Contemporary Violinist: Book/CD Pack (Paperback)

This book is the most wonderful ,inspiring music text I have been able to find in seven years of searching for the book that really tells you why you picked up your instrument in the first place.It offers a lifetime of experiments and improvisation ideasand in addition there's a wealth of tips that you can apply to approaching any instrument.
I love it and I'm a guitarist!

0 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not all the info in this book is correct., June 22, 2008

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Contemporary Violinist: Book/CD Pack (Paperback)

I was looking to buy something on violin, but then I saw the notation about Natalie MacMaster Being taught by her FATHER Buddy. Buddy is a wonderful fiddler and a great man, but he's Natalie's Uncle. I have to wonder what else is wrong in this book. Sorry.