4 comments about Mel Bay's Gypsy Violin.

1. I was so excited to see that this book existed. I purchased it and opened it up immediately. I was classically trained years ago and play folk fiddle, Irish fiddle, old-time, etc... currently. Most people think I'm pretty good, but not at all on a classical scale. Those of you classically trained know what I mean. I'd be intermediate level to a classical musician.
   Anyway, this book is NOT for beginners or intermediate players. I would say it is for advance/professional violinists. There are extensive passages in very advanced/high positions and the music is extremely fast. If this is what you are looking for then this book is for you. I actually enjoyed Fiddling Around the World by the same author better (and found the pieces easier to learn).



2. I am a classically trained violinist ( Level: Advanced- But NOT Expert ( Heifetz)). Since I have moved to the US, I have been playing Bluegrass, jazz, folk ( Balkan), and persian music on my fiddle. I got "Gypsy Violin" book with it CD in the mail on New Years Eve. It was the best gift that I could get. I haven't been able to put the book and my violin down since then.
   
   I have a little complain about the CD though. I wish the Violin was recorded on one channel only, so I could practice with accompaniment.



3. If the sound of a wild Gypsy violin moves your spirit, Mary Ann Harbar's Gypsy Violin, a tunebook and CD set, is a great place to learn the technique.
   
   The book alone is a wonderful resource. It's packed with about four dozen tunes, many harmony lines and variations included. Guitar chords are a must, and Harbar provides them throughout.
   
   Although not bogged down with text, the book provides brief histories of some tunes, as well as tips for performing them. A brief introduction describes the differences between a Gypsy violinist and her classical or folk counterpart, and suggests tips for practicing in this style. There's also a quick reference chart at the end, since the markings on a Gypsy tune differ somewhat from some styles.
   
   While it might be possible to learn Gypsy techniques straight from the book, the companion CD makes the learning process easier. ... While it might be possible to learn Gypsy techniques straight from the book, the companion CD makes the learning process easier.
   
   This is an exciting style of performance, and we could certainly use a few more fiddlers out there who can play with Harbar's skill and spirit. Fortunately, she's willing to teach us how.



4. My 12 year old son was keen to play some gypsy violin. I play guitar (rather badly - can read chords but not classical scores)
   We tried several but this is THE best we found.
   We played a third of them so far and every single one is a gem.
   When we performed at concert then lots of kids and parents asked us what the book was - they really liked the tunes. There were a couple of really spectacular slides in one of them - some people said later they never heard anything like this.
   
   This is not a beginner's book. After 3-4 easy pieces (grade 4?) the rest are for violin level Grade 5-6 UK - (includes 5th position and higher in places). Saying this my kid was so keen on playing them he just had to learn to play in these positions - and he did - BEFORE his teacher taught him any!
   Guitar part is simple (sometimes I simplify it even more when I can't play fast enough) but is very nice - there are few slash chords specified (such as A/C# - A major over C# in base) which make standard wamp (I used all the time) sound much more interesting.
   If anyone knows a better gypsy/traditional book I'd really want to know - it is so much fun to play through this one!
   zhyzs@hotmail.com
   
   PS.Thanks to the author for this great book!
   PS2. And NO - I am NOT the author of his best friend!

5 comments about Beyond the Reflection's Edge (Echoes from the Edge).

1. Yesterday afternoon, when I decided to get ahead by reading this book, I wasn't sure what to expect. Most of the reviews I had read so far were brief and all stating the wonders of this book and this author in general. The first chapter was a little odd and I was a little confused. But as I read more, more was able to sink in and I was able to understand what was going on.
   
   This is one of those books that I could not get my eyes to travel fast enough to find out what was coming next. There we...more Yesterday afternoon, when I decided to get ahead by reading this book, I wasn't sure what to expect. Most of the reviews I had read so far were brief and all stating the wonders of this book and this author in general. The first chapter was a little odd and I was a little confused. But as I read more, more was able to sink in and I was able to understand what was going on.
   
   This is one of those books that I could not get my eyes to travel fast enough to find out what was coming next. There were times when I had to go back and re-read a passage, just because it was too much. I've never been much of a fiction sci-fi person outside of TV shows and movies, but this was better than any TV show and any movie that I have ever seen.
   
   There was spy action, there was holistic attitudes, and morals! Suspense and thrilling twists... An under lying message, and even just plain good human interaction and relationships of people to each other.
   
   I'm extremely glad that I have now been introduced into the works of Bryan Davis and I must say that I'm excited for more. I especially cannot wait until this fall when book two comes out Eternity's Edge!



2. Just when I thought nothing could top Bryan Davis's "Dragons in Our Midst" and "Oracles of Fire" series', his new "Echoes from the Edge", series comes out of no-where to challenge his previous accomplishments. The first book in this new series is "Beyond the Reflection's Edge". I have to say that the characters seized my attention and my heart immediately and wouldn't let go! With a gripping combination of science-fiction, fantasy, action, love (though not the kind you might think), and suspense, this book takes 16-year-old Nathan Shepard and his newly acquired friend, Kelly Clark plowing through their ever complicating assignment to save the world. Their mission begins with an ambiguous murder and takes them crisscrossing through dimensions via violin, an enigmatic camera, and a cryptic mirror. All the while fleeing a mysterious, yet terrifying villain called Mictar who's malevolent mind is bent on destroying our universe. I could talk about this book forever, so before I do, one question. Does anyone else get the impression that Mr. Davis's overall goal is to keep you from putting this book down?!



3. I really enjoyed this book. It is a very fast paced page turner. It keeps you interested waiting to see what happens next. As the story unveils you learn more about what is taking place and become increasingly intriqued. I found the whole premise of the book really interesting. If you like fantasy with a modern day twist and a christian prespective you'll really enjoy this book. But be warned..it's the first in a trilogy :)



4. Excellent start to new series by Bryan Davis. The characters and plot are complex and compelling. Great read.



5. Wow! Beyond the Reflection's Edge is just as powerful, action-packed, and deep as Dragons In Our Midst and Oracles of Fire. Each word continued to drag me into the story and share Nathan's and Kelly's adventures. Sometimes I felt as though I could hear the music, even if I didn't necessarily know one of the pieces Nathan was playing. From beginning to end I felt as though I were truly there, feeling the tension, the heartache, the fear, and even the laughter of all characters involved. I say "Bravo!" to Bryan Davis. Keep it up - I can't wait to read the next one!

No comments about Group Lessons for Suzuki: Violin and Viola.

1 comments about String Builder V2 Violin (Belwin Course for Strings).

1. I am an adult learner and had never even picked up a violin before my first lesson five months ago. By using this series from the beginning, it let me learn the basics very quickly and easily (with lots of practice). This series is great. I am now playing some basic classical music, celtic music, hymns, and soundtracks from movies. For beginners, it is an absolute must that you have a teacher.

No comments about Essential Technique 2000, for Strings Violin Book 3 (Intermediate Technique Studies, Violin Book 3).

5 comments about Stradivari's Genius: Five Violins, One Cello, and Three Centuries of Enduring Perfection.

1. I have no disagreement with the genius of Stradivari or the excellent qualities of his extraordinary violins and other stringed instruments. However it should not be overlooked that Stradivari was not entirely unique: equally fine instruments were made in Cremona at about the same time by Giuseppi Antonio Guarneri. In fact, many famous virtuoso violinists have chosen to play Guarnerius rather than Stradivarius violins, a fact not generally known to the public. At one time Polish virtuoso Henryk Szeryng owned two Stradivarius and one Guarnerius violins. Eventually, he donated the two Strads to worthy musical institutions and kept only the Guarnerius. Szeryng treasured his Guarnerius so much that, when he travelled, he bought two seats -- one for himself and one for his Guarnerius.
   
   The mystery behind the greatness of Stradivarius violins is actually a somewhat broader mystery: How did Cremona Italy in the late 17th and early-to-mid 18th centuries produce two artisans who made the greatest violins ever made? And why did this artistry end when they died?



2. this book is a must for all music lovers. it is factual without being boring and mr faber does a great job telling his story. i couldn't put i down and i don't even play an instrument. a great read!



3. I was out the other week searching for new books to read and came across Stradivari's Violins. A self-avowed classical music fan, I started leafing through the pages to see if the book would spark my interest. Well, a day and a half later and the book was completed, leaving me wanting for more! An outstanding read, the book chronicles the birth and subsequent history of five violins and one cello, over the course of time and history. If you are interested at all in history, music history, classical prose, or any genre in the history/music categories, this book would be a great read. It appeals to a large audience I think, and for fans of the movie the Red Violin, this book would make a great companion piece, although that movie was about a violin not covered within the pages, the Red Mendelssohn. Now in paperback, this book is definitely a bargain!



4. Interested in learning violin structure and repair, I felt the need to know a bit about the famous violin makers of the world. I highly recommend this book as it was very informative and actually a great read as I felt drawn to know more and more about the great Stradivari. Jim



5. This is the book for anyone wanting an accessible introduction to the mystique surrounding the famous Italian violin maker Stradivarius. Rather than trying to take on such an overwhelming and near-mythic character head-on, Toby Faber wisely decides to focus his work on the instruments themselves, carefully placing Stradivari's biographical and the violin's technical details throughout. As the title states, the book examines the `life' of six of Stradivari's instruments from their creation to the present day, exploring along the way the tastes, the desires, and the obsessions of generations of players and collectors. Although hundreds of Stradivari's instruments still exist, Faber has selected these particular examples because of their complex histories and their connections with famous historical figures. While at times his writing seems to trudge along when the instruments' stories become impossibly intertwined, Faber's style of story-telling is engaging and effective for the topic; this is a book that both specialists and novices will enjoy. Interestingly, he ends the book by questioning the ordinarily unassailable value placed on old instruments, noting that some antique violins seem to have lost their sound. He ends by saying, "One day, supplies of the great classical violins will run out. We need a new Stradivari." Fortunately, this enticing last line is addressed by a perfect companion book to Faber's: John Marchese's "The Violin Maker" (2007).

No comments about Celtic Music for Violin Book with play a long audio CD.

2 comments about The Contemporary Violin: ExtENDed Performance Techniques (The New Instrumentation).

1. I new this book was special when I read the opening quote from the first page of the Introduction to Amplification and Signal Processing chapter:

   We're here to hurt you!"
   --Billy Corgan of the smashing Pumpkins

   Simply put: This book is a revalation to the contemporary string music scene. Extreemly well written, full of countless scores and short examples. Invaluable.




2. I knew this book was special when I read the opening quote from the first page of the one of the chapters:

   We're here to hurt you!"
   --Billy Corgan of the smashing Pumpkins

   Simply put: This book is a revalation to the contemporary string music scene. Extreemly well written, full of countless scores and short examples. Invaluable.

No comments about Problems of Tone Productions in Violin Playing.

No comments about Bach's Works for Solo Violin: Style, Structure, Performance.