Publisher: Fischer, Carl
Authors: Janice Tucker Rhoda
List Price: $8.95
Amazon Price: $8.95
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Reviews:
Summary: Thank you for this Great Violin Book!
This Great Violin Instruction Book has made it possible for me to realize my life dream. I always imagined violin to be the hardest instrument anyone could possibly attempt to play but this book has definitely made it possible for me.
My grandfather made violins while he was living and no one in my family had ever taken lessons nor attempted to play. After getting this book and I saw the list of songs in the index I got very excited and decided to take one of my grandfather's violins and get it strung properly. I took it to a local store and it cost $30 for the set of 4 strings. After getting the necessary Extras* from the advice of the manager I headed home with an adrenaline rush!
*Extras: a tuner for tuning the strings, a shoulder-rest which slides on to the backside of the violin, rosin for the bow and of course a music stand; I decided to take it seriously since my grandfather took making them seriously even though he wasn't formally trained. All I can say is, if my grandfather knew this HE would be excited!
The CD that matches this book was also recommended, so I unwrapped it immediately and played it while I drove home. It's glorious! I can see why my grandfather wanted to make the most beautiful instrument in the world.
Details on the book:
My favorite songs in the book are Home on the Range, Irish Washer Woman, O Come All Ye Faithful, Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring by Bach, Dancing Partners, Alouette and Frere Jacques, Violin Concerto Theme by Beethoven, Arkansas Traveler and Jingles Bells. Of course there are many more in the book...
The book is easy to understand, flows naturally from one section to the next, has diagrams to show where your finger tips go, plus the music notes are easy to read without glasses, not small. Other diagrams show the music staff and how it lines up with each finger of your left hand. Along with the songs you have "Warm-ups" showing you the new skills learned within each new song. There are 3 "Scales" (G D and A) "EASY DUETS" a "Worksheet" a "Glossary" and an "ABCs Practice Chart."
Now I see there is a DVD which I just ordered.
Thank you for this book!!
Summary: Get this book and the abcs of violin DVD!!!
I purchased this BOOK along with the ABCs of Violin DVD and it's been the perfect combo!!! On the DVD the actress/teacher, author of the book, explains reading, posture, finger placement, etc. etc. You play along... It's fun! The teacher is delightful and gives clear directions.
The book is nicely layed out and is filled with a lot of familiar songs, "warm-ups," scales, duets, etc. etc. However, there's nothing like seeing it all on a DVD...
Definitely worth the purchase! Have fun playing the violin like me!!
Summary: This book will make you need an instructor.
The ABC's of Violin for the Absolute Beginner by Janice Tucker Rhoda needs an improvement in its presentation. The book starts out with a picture of a violin with a bow and labels their parts. Lesson 1 names the the spaces and lines of a staff. That's fine up to this point.
Lesson 2 instructs you to pluck the strings without telling you how. Should you pluck them with your thumb and pointing finger pulling each string away from the violin or pluck them with your finger nails or simply rub them with one of your fingers, and with which hand? It also shows a small diagram of labeled strings on their unrealistic looking bridge. Then it immediately introduces a staff with labeled notes. Just before the staff it gives the term Pizzicato without first defining it.
Lesson 3 appears similarly.
Lesson 4 Instructs you to play with your bow without showing you close-up and portrait type photographs of how to hold the violin and bow. The drawings of a person holding the violin and bow are inadequate in their detail. Then it tells you at the bottom of the page to Pizzicato the first time and Arco the 2nd time without first defining these terms again. The page to the right of lesson 4 shows you a drawings of violin proper posture and a drawing of the left hand with numbered fingers 1-4 and a staff. However, for an absolute beginner this does not show how the fingers are placed on the finger board over the string(s). For example, should you place your finger nails directly over the strings, the side of your fingers, or the finger tips?
Lesson 5 through lesson 11 likewise leave out the actual picture views of how your fingers are placed, as well as do not define terms such as "Open A". The diagram shown to represent finger placement does not give you exact positioning of your fingers. It would be best to give the diagram and a picture for each instance to clearly show finger placement.
On page 46 the student is instructed to write the letters above each note as well as to write the finger positions below each note. I feel that this exercise should of been given starting with lesson 3, and finally culminate with this all inclusive exercise as a review.
On page 47 we finally are shown the glossary which defines some terms but is incomplete and lacks more detail to be of real use to a beginner student.
In summary, if you are an absolute beginner and have never played another muscial instrument then this book is not for you! If you are a violin instructor then this book is for you as your students will be dependent on you to fill-in the many holes left with this book.
If you wish to learn to play the violin by yourself and don't have the time or the money for an instructor then do not buy this book. Lastly, if you are considering using a violin instructor, ask them for their recommendation for a book and then see for yourself if their recommendation suits your needs, if not then look for another instructor.
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