Recommended Reading
When considering a violin tutor book, what should be your priorities?
- choose a tutor which is recommended by well-known violinists
- look for tips on violin technique, not just 'fun' tunes to play
- consider whether the book is appropriate for the age of the learner
- all tutors are not equal: if in doubt, ask your teacher for advice
- getting your violin technique right from the start could make all the difference to whether you enjoy and violin and make progress - or struggle for a while before giving up the violin completely!
- getting your technique right in the early stages is crucial; try to be patient and not rush ahead before you have mastered the basics of holding the instrument, the bow, learning how to draw the bow straight over the string, getting your finger hand correct etc: all these techniques will pay off quickly and if you've paid attention you will be rewarded with a satisfying sound and good tuning, rather than the scratchy screeching and out-of-tune notes that most beginners make!
A couple of excellent Tutors are:
The Essential String Method - by Sheila Nelson: great for kids - teaches musicianships skills too in a fun, enjoyable way.
Young Strings in Action - Paul Rolland: a well-researched method endorsed by Yehudi Menuhin. More appropriate for older children or adults.
