Violin For Dummies [Paperback]

Katharine Rapoport (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 8, 2008

Take a bow and start playing tunes with this friendly guide!

Whether you're an aspiring classical musician or you just want to fiddle around, Violin For Dummies will have you making music in not time. This interactive book-and-CD-ROM package makes it easy with step-by-step instruction on everything from simple tunes to show-stopping techniques. With coverage of musical styles including classical, country, and jazz, this is the ultimate guide to the violin.

Discover how to:
* Choose the right violin and accessories
* Develop correct violin and bow hold
* Understand the language of music
* Play classical, country, gypsy, and jazz
* Tune, change strings, and perform simple maintenance


Get Smart @www.dummies.com
* Find listings of all our books
* Choose from many different subject categories
* Sign up for eTips at etips.dummies.com


MP3 files of every song and exercise from the book.

Video clips demonstrating techniques to help you pick up and play.

Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Take a bow and start playing tunes with this friendly guide!

Whether you're an aspiring classical musician or you just want to fiddle around, Violin For Dummies will have you making music in not time. This interactive book-and-CD-ROM package makes it easy with step-by-step instruction on everything from simple tunes to show-stopping techniques. With coverage of musical styles including classical, country, and jazz, this is the ultimate guide to the violin.

Discover how to:

• Choose the right violin and accessories
• Develop correct violin and bow hold
• Understand the language of music
• Play classical, country, gypsy, and jazz
• Tune, change strings, and perform simple maintenance

Get Smart @www.dummies.com

• Find listings of all our books
• Choose from many different subject categories
• Sign up for eTips at etips.dummies.com

MP3 files of every song and exercise from the book.

Video clips demonstrating techniques to help you pick up and play.

About the Author

Katharine Rapoport (Toronto, ON) is a violinist and violist who currently lives and works in Toronto. After graduating with a degree in Music from the University of Cambridge, she completed her postgraduate Certificate of Advanced Studies in Violin at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London. She has a very broad range of professional freelance experience including musicals such as Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera and Showboat. After moving to Canada, Katharine was appointed to the faculty of the Royal Conservatory of Music and the University of Toronto.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies (January 8, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470838388
• ISBN-13: 978-0470838389
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #12,037 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #6 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Theory, Composition & Performance > Sheet Music & Scores > Instrumentation > Violin
  • #69 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Instruments & Performers

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars better than online courses I've tried, February 26, 2008

By 

Raymond Patrick "ray" (albuquerque,nm) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Violin For Dummies (Paperback)

Goes from the very basic through fairly advanced in manageable steps. Clear and concise with excellent descriptions. Included CD helps with practice pieces and songs.

For less than the price of one music lesson you have a companion guide and reference to help you navigate from beginner to beyond.

I know I sound like a commercial, but I'm a real person who is amazed that someone put in the effort to craft a manual that really helps self starters.

To show you how basic it can be... it tells you how to take the violin in and out of its case.

The lady who wrote the book knows her stuff and how to communicate it. Actually the quick guide on how to hold the violin and bow will save you grief down the line.

Good luck and have fun with it.

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for beginners, March 10, 2008

By 

S. Chamberlain "kanona531" (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Violin For Dummies (Paperback)

I am an adult who wanted to learn to play the violin without the expense of private lessons. So far, this book has been very easy to follow and the instructions are very clear. The CD is wonderful, it includes short videos and mp3 songs. I can play along with the songs and know that the notes are correct.
My only compaint is that I found alot of the photos in the book hard to see. They are in black and white and the photos are far to dark.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Violin Instruction, May 20, 2008

By 

Troy A. Lewis (Baton Rouge, LA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Violin For Dummies (Paperback)

Katharine Rapoport brings a lot of experience to light in this book; designed for the very beginner through advanced. If you are trying to tackle violin pedagogy on your own maybe because you can't afford private lessons or maybe your schedule is not conducive for private lessons, or whatever reason; this book is a good place to start. The instruction is informative, structured, and relaxed in nature.