New Beginning Violin Book
I am excited to announce that the beginning violin book that I have been working on with my husband (composer Dr. Benjamin Williams) is almost complete!
This book has been several years in the making and is meant to be a companion book to the many beginning violin method books already available on the market. If used by itself it would leave much out of the beginning violinist’s instruction, however, the need arose for this book because I believe that the majority of beginning method books currently available also leave out much of what is needed in the beginning violinist’s instruction. Therefore, coupled with current popular beginning method books, this companion book will round out the beginning violinist’s repertoire. If used under the supervision of a capable teacher this book will serve to balance the musical instruction of both the child and adult beginning violinist.
Why is such a book needed?
Problem 1: Beginning method books tend to focus on the A and E strings to the exclusion of the D and G strings.
Solution: This companion book focuses heavily on repertoire that uses the D and G strings. That is why it must be used in conjunction with more popular beginning method books. Students need to learn ALL the strings, and this book is the perfect solution.
Problem 2: Beginning method books tend to use only traditional Baroque and Classical harmonic structure.
Solution: This companion book branches out into more contemporary harmonic structures in a way that is accessible to the student and pleasing to the listener!
Problem 3: Beginning (and even intermediate) method books contain mostly pieces in one key or time signature.
Solution: This companion book introduces the beginning violinist to changing meters and keys in a way that is easy to understand and idiomatic to the violin.
Problem 4: Beginning method books tend to teach the 1st through 3rd fingers, but not the 4th finger.
Solution: This companion book teaches all four fingers right from the start in a way that helps to correctly set up the students left hand and reinforce correct technique/posture.
This is a selective example of the problems and solutions that are addressed by this companion book. All the materials in this book have been tested on my own students and proven to be useful, accessible and relative to both children and adult beginning students.
If you are interested in my material please email me at [email protected] and I would be happy to let you know when the book is completed so you can get a copy!
Emily Williams is the creator of Strategic Strings: An Online Course for Violin and Viola Teachers
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