This course by Ryan Thomson is designed for learners with little or no experience with fiddle or violin playing.The DVD teaches bowing patterns, rhythms, scales, and several easy tunes including celtic and bluegrass styles. The book is 40 pages, 5.5" by 8.5", is plastic comb bound to lie flat, and includes topics such as tuning, practicing, holding the instrument, learning by ear, and diagrams which show where to place your fingers. Standard music notation is included although no music reading ability is required. ISBN 9-31977-28-8 Secure Online Payment. Free shipping within the USA
If you'd like a cassette instead of a DVD, go here.
Reviews:
by a customer from El Prado, New Mexico, USA: Great book! And this one really is for beginners. I brought zero musical training to this endevour (and just about that much natural ability), but within a few days I was sawing away at "Boil Them Cabbages Down," drone and all. I've worked through the other melodies with equal success, my family's impressed, and I'm jazzed. I just wish there was a Volume II! The tips for maintaining a fiddle, tuning it, practicing, learning to play by ear-all very helpful.
Victory Music Review: "Fiddling for Beginners teaches the basics and does not require the ability to read, even though it provides scores. The D, A, and G scales are taught and applied in three basic fiddle styles: two reels 'Boil them Cabbages Down,' and Old Joe Clark'; a jig '100 Pipers'; and a hornpipe 'Boys of Blue Hill.' The material is clearly and slowly presented on the tape."
Bluegrass Unlimited: "The ideas that he presents on fiddle playing in general, practice techniques and learning by ear are quite good."
Tennessee Folklore Society: "This course is highly recommended to anyone desiring to learn to play the fiddle, regardless of their age or lack of previous musical experience."