5 comments about Strictly Strings: A Comprehensive String Method Book 1 : Violin.

1. This is a very good music book for children beginning to learn to play the violin. It starts with explaining how to hold you bow and violin with nice illustrations. The lessons in this book go from basic to moderate playing levels. Everything that you will do in this book is explained in detail at the top of every page. There is an illustration also. There are some very nice pieces of music in this book also. I reccomend this book to any beginners.



2. I'm a cello student and I really like this book a lot. I tried to read ahead though, and it doesn't really explain things well enough for a novice. With my instructor and the lessons, the book is perfect. I recommed the CD's that go along with it... they are sold separately.



3. I'm a cello student and I really like this book a lot. I tried to read ahead though, and it doesn't really explain things well enough for a novice. With my instructor and the lessons, the book is perfect. I recommed the CD's that go along with it... they are sold separately.



4. My daughter uses the book to learn to play the cello, it's a great intro!



5. this book is in terrific condition and was shipped very fast. would by from again

2 comments about Suzuki Violin School, Vol. 1 (Suzuki Violin School).

1. This is the 3rd CD from the Suzuki series we've purchased. Like
   the 1st two CDs, it's good, clear and well played. The piano accompaniment is not overwhelming nor is it too soft. My daughter enjoys listening and playing her violin along with these CDs. It's a good idea to have this to play the new songs so your child can hear the pieces for Book 3 of the Suzuki pieces. She asks for it when we're in the car so that she can listen to it while I drive.



2. David Nadien's CD is a great version - it includes the piano accompaniments so that your child can play with the CD.

5 comments about Essential Elements for Strings: Violin Book One.

1. For a beginner this book is very useful and helps with all of the questions, that one has with learning a new instrument. As an adult trying to learn an instrument this book is one that doesn't talk down to you which helps one build confidence in learning the music.



2. This book will really help you out if you haven't even played a note on it before. Within a few months, it will probably be time to buy the second Essential Elements book.



3. This book is an excellent book to start of with, other than just folk and classic, it should have jazz, and you definately need a tutor or more experienced player, to mark the exact points for where the notes are, then the book is the best thing to start of with, I learnt my first song, myself thanks to this book.



4. My 10 year old just began lessons and the instructor chose this book. My daughter finds it fun and easy to progress. The book also holds her interest as she is "plucking" songs she recognizes.



5. This is the first book on basic violin that I found to have a comfortable and logical flow to it. Great for the adult beginner. Everything is anticipated, easy enough, but not terminally "cutesy" as a lot of children's books are. Better to have it with a good instructor -- but with it and a good music theory work book you should make progress.

5 comments about Picture Yourself Playing Violin (Picture Yourself).

1. YES!!! The PERFECT way the understand and learn violin! Take some advice from someone who has tried almost everything, GET THIS BOOK if you want to learn violin!



2. This book is a MUST HAVE to learn violin, I got this book with Mrs. Seidel's Beginner DVD Series, and we absolutly LOVE IT!!



3. This book is perfect. This is the most complete, comprehensive and concise introduction to the violin available.
   
   The book's breakdown is as follows:
   
   Chapter 1: Getting Acquainted with your New Best Friend
   Chapter2: Bowing Techniques
   Chapter 3: Fingering Techniques
   Chapter 4: Music Theory
   Chapter 5: Specialty Techniques
   Chapter 6: Beginner Songs
   Chapter 7: History
   Chapter 8: Continue the Journey
   
   Also included is a DVD that instructs you on every concept in the book as well as a performance, with metronome, of the beginner songs.



4. This is a pretty good product, but the DVD is definitely a do-it-yourself job. It's a bit hard to navigate the DVD menu which is not organized very well.



5. The book covers all the basics needed to learn and maintain your violin and very easy to use. The dvd is great companion to the book as well. Recommended for any beginning violinist.

3 comments about David Cerone Performs Suzuki Violin School (Volume 2).

1. Ordered the Book and CD together, received the book, but now over one month later am still waiting for the CD. It would be nice if could have had the CD with the music book.



2. Part of the Suzuki Method relies on hearing the music about 8000 times before the child graduates the particular "book". If you (and your child) do the method properly, you will have this entire cd memorised and may even be sick of it by then. It is well done, nicely clear for advanced beginners and has a clear piano part.



3. We own this cd and, well, one can hardly comment on the music without 1st having experienced working with the Suzuki method of helping their child learn to play an instrument and read music.
   The cd is most useful and my child learned very quickly by listening to this cd. There are other versions of the Suzuki books on cd and when your child advances you can see and hear the differences of each. The way your child plays, once having worked long enough, can reflect the style in which the artist plays. My son took to playing violin very quickly. And could choose which cd he wanted by book 3.
   He still listens to the old cd,s (he added the music to his ipod, btw) for refreshing his memory and improving his critique of music. He is 16 and loves all music.
   If you are considering this method for someone you love, remember musical literacy is a lifelong treasure and pleasure no matter what your talent level. You can't go wrong even if you just want to listen. Get the book if interested, because even if you want this for yourself you can read along and definitely help your own musical literacy skills.
   It's a whole other language and nothing can beat hearing the language of music.

5 comments about Voice of the Violin (Inspector Montalbano Mysteries).

1. Camilleri, as usual, immerses the reader in an engrossing mystery story with engaging Sicilian atmosphere and quite appetizing local cuisine descriptions. Even for one who has never been to Sicily -- or perhaps especially for that person. Even for this professional violist/violinist...



2. 
   Braking and entering was the least of Inspector Montalbano worries the discovery was much more gruesome. A young female completely naked, at touch she was cold and stiff, half kneeling, belly resting against the edge of the bed her face remained buried in the sheets which had also been torn at by her sharp fingernails. This woman had not given up without a fight; there was no doubt in Montalbano mind this was murder by suffocation.
   
   Montalbano was on the case to hunt for the killer, the victim had been a beautiful blonde and from her address book extremely active, this meant an array of suspects to filter through. Everybody was under suspicion an antiques dealing lover from Bologna, a shy admirer who had suddenly disappeared, the women's best friend Anna who's charms Montalbano could not help but enjoy. But what about the victims Husband a Famous Doctor, he was acting towards his own wife's death emotionally unattached, why? Montalbano is introduced by a friend to a reclusive skilled violinist who only performs his wonderful concertos in odd hours. Was something about this Maestro the key to the bigger picture?
   
   Andrea Camilleri has done another wonderful job of bringing to life the Sicilian detective Inspector Salvo Montalbano. What I love about this series would be the charactizations and language the usage of dialogue in conversation it's all been kept real it's got sharp wit and comedy which I find really amusing, the sly comments on Italian life and culture make for an interesting comical read. There are some fresh characters in this book which keeps Montalbano on his toes and the tempo paced and exciting. Once again beautifully and descriptivly portrayed in the fictational town of Vigàta. Montalbano himself is a great character, he thinks about fine literature in moments of doubt, has an eye for a beautiful women and loves to indulge his taste buds into the delicious aromatic seafood pasta dishes.
   
   I have read this whole series as far as they have been translated, I believe this whole series deserves to be read from the beginning, but if you do not wish to do that, then I would advise you read - Il ladro di Merendine - The Snack Thief before this book, only because it makes references to a pervious plot line that might make this one more amusing.
   
   This book shows Montalbano as a shrewd tactician, with a mix of humour, cynicism and compassion; of course blended with his attractiveness "get to the point attitude".
   
   As always a special mention to poet Stephen Sartarelli, for the clear translation of each book and for the informative notes given at the back on wording. Thank you.
   
   A.Bowhill



3. Fourth in the Salvo Montalbano Italian police procedural series in which Salvo discovers the body of a beautiful young woman in her home when he stops to find out why the home's owner has not responded to a note he left when one of their police cars collides with her car that was parked in front of the home. As usual, the politics of the department and the country take the investigation over and Salvo must do his sleuthing on the sly after being taken off the case by the new commissioner. The gruff and grumpy Montalbano shows his vulnerable side too, briefly. A quick, enjoyable visit to Sicily where the author puts you right in the heart of the place, evoking smells, tastes and views that leave little to the imagination. Don't read this book (or any in the series) while hungry; the author's descriptions of the food will leave you drooling all over the book! Great series!



4. In The Snack Thief (Inspector Montalbano Mysteries), Andrea Camilleri threw his protagonist into a mind set and cricumstances that Montalbano would never have voluntarily accepted. But the circumstances of the previous book wreaked havoc with his emotions and his life. In this novel, life more or less gets jerked back into place.
   
   The beauty of this book, as with the entire series is HOW the circumstances jerked it back into place. All is not what it appears, that is the mantra of most mystery novels, none more so than the Inspector Montalbano series. Because Camilleri is juggling many balls at once. he is making social and political comementaries on the state of Italian and Sicilian politics and cultrue, he is talking about food, and the proper appreciation of food. he is also making judgement calls on relationships between people, whether it is between men and women or everyday dealings, he has a lot to say. But this isn't a series about third person reveries on the esoteric subject of human relations, the protagonist is not sitting on some exalted throne, making sniggly and cowardly observations. The protagonist is in the middle of the fight between right and wrong while also living in a world suffused with grey moral tonalities. It is, as I had said before, extremely Italian, where justification is often demanded but the circumstances will always diffuse the response into meanginglessness.



5. These Camillieri mysteries are a refreshing break from more serious stuff. At least,any book involving murder and mayhem, that can also make me laugh, I don't hesitate to recommend.I have enjoyed all of this series. Montalbano's somewhat inept 'staff', a view of Sicilian corrup-tion, and the setting in other than a city locale helps add to my education !

5 comments about Mole Music.

1. I'm 43 and checked this book out of the library to read to my kids. I was so moved by it that I plan to buy several copies as gifts for both adults and kids. I'd like to have the artwork on the walls of my music studio to remind me . . .it's all about the energy we put out into the world. A timeless and most important lesson! Thank you David McPhail!



2. This book is a simply wonderful book to share with chilren. It is beautifully written and illustrated, and has a great message to share as well. I am an elementary music teacher, and read it to my classes every year. It has become a mainstay in the few short years I've owned it, and my students love it as much as I do.



3. This story has a delightful message about the power we have to influence others, even if that influence is out of our awareness. Always a joy to read...



4. A wonderful book that can be read to children of different ages and levels. My 22 month old grandson is captivated by the drawings.



5. Beautiful illustrations, and a sweet heart warming story about the power of music. Love this book. A must for any aspiring musicians, musicians grown up, or kids of. Glad I stumbled upon this book!

2 comments about 78VN - All For Strings Book 1: Violin.

1. hi there, my teacher is teaching my orchestra with all for strings i have complete book one and two this book rocks! i play viola * no really? * this is a great book it will teach you just what you need! i can't wait to finish book 3!

   */sj




2. If you want to stop throwing your money away on a twirpy little unhelpful, unprofessional, underfed, cocaine addicted swindler of a violin instructor who ruins your entire week in a mere half an hour and ghoulishly helps himself to your hard earned money just to pay for his own sicko addiction then this is the self-help, do-it-yourself manual you've dreamed of. This one book is pretty straight forward and has saved me hundreds of dollars on lessons. I don't even go to lessons anymore, I just teach myself and I've made great progress.
   
   There's some pictures and diagrams as well in here to help you with fingering but be forewarned that the fingering suggested in this book might be a bit difficult for some. It all depends on how skinny (or how fat) your fingers are and how flexible those muscles inside your fingers are. If your fingers aren't that flexible try wrapping a tight rubber band around them and then trying to spread your fingers, sort of like a spider. After a week or two you'll notice a difference.
   
   Also, for me at least it helps to use only my ring finger to play some notes (G on D string and D on A string) whereas this book suggests you use 3 (index, middle and ring). It just depends on what you're comfortable with, everyone is going to be different and some folks might enjoy the method this book gives the most. Just be aware that there are alot of different fingering techniques to use, not just the ones shown here.
   
   Other than that this is definately self-explanitory enough for you to finish yourself without paying good money for an instructor. Good investment for anyone starting the violin.

5 comments about Suzuki Violin School (Suzuki Violin School Cd): Vol. 1 (Suzuki Violin School CD).

1. It's really unfortunate that the performance on this CD does seem to sound too sharp as pointed out by a previous reviewer, who's a Suzuki teacher. Our violins (both mine and my daugther's) always sound quite a bit flatter than this CD after being tuned by my daughter's Suzuki teacher, who has perfect pitch. One time earlier on, I also tried tuning our violins w/ this CD as aid (thinking our violins had gone too flat), and the teacher thought they were oddly out of tune more than usual (or in an odd way I guess since they were sharp, not flat) -- well, she didn't really say so, but her facial expression and gesture said it all. :-) I never really brought this up w/ her before, but I think I will in our next lesson. And perhaps, I'll buy a different CD for this series as well -- maybe the David Nadien version as suggested elsewhere.



2. Several people have commented on this recording sounding sharp. I suspect it has to do with different tuning standards. the standard tuning pitch here in the States is A 440, but in other parts of the world A 445 is often used. It would sound sharp by comparison, but is not necessarily "wrong".



3. I have been taking a lesson from Suzuki method teacher, and this CD has been a great suppliment in my busy life. Just listening to this CD for 5-10 minutes a day ( during the commute or cooking time) has been helping me to understand what I need to work on. My daily practice time is avarage 15 minutes or so, but I have been making good enough progress because of this listening program.



4. I received my delivery in a timely manor and was able to enjoy The Suzuki Violin CD Volume 1 I ordered. It was exactly what I expected being from volume 1, it concentrated on strings A, and E. This CD was recommended by my daughters Suzuki Violin Teacher to help her learn by ear what the these two strings used in various songs sound like. It was worth the purchase since my daughter is a beginning Suzuki student, ... I may have to go out for volume 2 soon since she's fallen in love with her violin.



5. I've been a Suzuki teacher for 12 years. I found that this CD is really out of tune and in many cases sloppy. It has one cool feature and that is it's Suzuki playing Suzuki and he was in his 80s (I think) when it was recorded. The two other CD's available, however, in some cases have lightning fast tempos. The new Midi CD-ROM seems to have solved that issue.

4 comments about Suzuki Violin School: Violin Part (Suzuki Violin School Ser.: Vol.4).

1. This book is the fourth in the Suzuki Violin School and should be accompanied by the Volume Four CD. All in all, a great learning tool and fantastic resource for students and teachers.



2. I have been playing the violin for about eleven or so years. When it was time for me to get serious about violin, the Suzuki books really helped me out. My instructor had the other Suzuki books but I feel in love with the 4th volume because I was able to play the Vivaldi piece, my first real piece. The duet at the end (first violin in volume 5) is really good.



3. I grew up learning the Suzuki method and believe in it 100%. Depending on your skill level, this may better be learned with an accomplished teacher. Suzuki method is also a philosophy - look for the book by Suzuki himself explaining this. My violin teacher made all her students' parents read this when we started lessons.
   
   This collection of songs not only is a good collection to learn various techniques on the violin, but I still have fun years later playing them over and over. They sound impressive when performed. Take note that the sixth song is a duet, and the second violin part is the one published in this book. The Violin I part is not in this book.



4. There are four people in my family who play the violin, and we all really like this book. We especially love the Vivaldi peices. There are three of them!