Mel Bay Fiddling for Viola [Perfect Paperback]

Michael Hoffheimer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 24, 2000

Quite possibly the largest collection of fiddle music for viola ever published! Contains a wealth of material for fiddlers seeking a transition to the viola and/or violists in search of a collection of traditional fiddle music. Designed to meet the rising popularity of the viola's role in folk music, the tunes in this book are grouped into C, G, D, F, B-flat, and E-flat major fingering. The music in this book is printed on parallel staffs. The top is traditional viola notation in the alto clef while the bottom is the same music in transposing violin notation, allowing fiddlers who read the G or treble clef to play the viola by fingering it as if it were a fiddle.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Michael Hoffheimer lives in Oxford, Mississippi and is Professor of Law at the University of Mississippi. Before teaching, he practiced law. He has a strong interest in traditional music and fiddling, has published articles on fiddlers and violinists, and plays fiddle with his children.

Product Details

• Perfect Paperback: 88 pages
• Publisher: Mel Bay Publications, Inc. (May 24, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786652454
• ISBN-13: 978-0786652457
• Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 8.8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #386,792 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great selection of music, but not much on technique..., December 14, 2006

By 

C. Miller - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mel Bay Fiddling for Viola (Perfect Paperback)

When I bought this, I was expecting a bit more information on the actual technique behind fiddling, specifically for violas. But this book seems more aimed at violinists who can already fiddle, and want to learn alto clef. Each song is written in both alto and treble clef. There is a lot of different songs in the book, but it would be nice to have more technique.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great viola fiddling book, January 17, 2008

By 

S. Shrader "Bio Gal" (Frederick, MD USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mel Bay Fiddling for Viola (Perfect Paperback)

It has been about five years since I played in an orchestra; I play my viola now just for fun and relaxation. I have been searching for a fiddling book for some time and this one is almost perfect. It isn't very advanced, but it does have some catchy tunes that are quite fun to play. There isn't much in the way of fiddling how-to except for a few introductory paragraphs. There is also some scale work and general viola playing notes (which I found a bit odd, because although this isn't the most advanced viola music, it isn't for first graders either). I think anyone who plays the viola (and who gets sick of playing second "fiddle" to the violin) would enjoy playing these little melodies.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book, July 22, 2009

By 

Kaia (Central Florida USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mel Bay Fiddling for Viola (Perfect Paperback)

As a violinist, it was nice to see the transposition from treble clef to alto clef explained so clearly. Seeing the pieces in both clefs allows me to "see" the difference and to play the viola while reading the treble clef, if that's what I want to do.

I think it's one of the best books I've seen for those who want to transition from violin to viola.