Mel Bay First Lessons Violin Book/CD Set
by Craig Duncan
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Book Reviews of Mel Bay First Lessons Violin Book/CD Set
Book Review: First lessons, it shows you how!
Summary: 4 Stars
I'm 36 and recieved a Violin for my 5th wedding anniversary. (5th = wood traditionaly) I've wanted to play for a long long time, however I know nothing about music. Before this book, I had absolute ZERO music knowledge. This book showed the finger positions before each lesson. This was key for me, because when I was reading through "Step one: Teach yourself Violin", which I got at the same time and looked into first, I didn't understand how you can make a B note on G, D, A, & E strings. It just didn't click. This book has a diagram showing for example on the E string it's Open string = E, then first finger position = F#, then G# and then A. Each lesson is laid out with a note diagram of the strings involved and which position on the fingerboard makes which note. This is what got me started, as I said I was somewhat lost with the other book. There is not much on holding the violin or bow, but enough to get started. It also has a brief description on music notation. Through the progression of lessons the music is a bit more complicated in that new things like dynamics are introduced. for $... this is a must if you are like me and starting from scratch. I also like "Step one: Teach yourself Violin", because it has a video cassette, but I suggest First Lessons first!Book Review: Not bad, but not that great
Summary: 3 Stars
This book is difficult to review, because I was truly a beginner using this. I was not just a beginner to the violin, but also to reading sheet music. I felt that there was very little setup to get to the point that you not only feel comfortable reading music, but also holding the violin. Unlike many other instruments the violin is not inherently natural because you hold it in place with your chin. The actual sheet music has a good progression from simple finger exercises to more advanced pieces. Especially with some of the baroque music, different time is kept. Again this is a case of ignorance of not having previous education in sheet music. The concept is explained, but little weight seems to be given to it. The CD accompanying the book is nice to have, but has little dialogue . I wasn't incredibly impressed with the overall number of scores in the book either. So in all it has all the basic elements of a beginner's book, but little explanation of anything is given and falls short of being very helpful for a "true" beginner.Book Review: Just for variety
Summary: 4 Stars
I am an adult beginning student, and have been taking private lessons for about 6 months.
I bought this book as a supplement. Sometimes I just get tired of the exercises and sometimes dull tunes in my other material. Being able to play along with the accompaniment on the CD is great for some variety.
I like the variety of songs, and they seem to progress from very easy to ones I cannot play yet. I can't speak to how the book explains anything, since I'm only using it to reinforce what I'm learning during my lessons.
The only thing I really wish this set has is a mechanism (like Essential Strings Amazing Slow-Downer) to slow the tempo of the songs without effecting the key. Some of them move pretty fast, so even though I can play the song, I can't keep up.
I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants a volume of songs to practice.
Book Review: I've seen better!
Summary: 2 Stars
Whenever anyone criticizes the Suzuki method, I always raise a red flag (review previous to this one). It's been around forever and has done a world of good!! The Suzuki method books include very mature pieces.
As a teacher, First Lessons, just doesn't have enough warm-ups. The ABCs of Violin is better--it's a longer book and includes more material--great selections of pieces, excellent warm-ups. The Suzuki books have minimal warm-ups, mainly pieces, but excellent selection of pieces.
First Lessons is an ok book as a supplement just in the beginning, but the Suzuki books and the ABCs of Violin have books you can move on to. Suzuki, Books 1 through 10 and the ABCs of Violin, Books 1 through 5.
Book Review: Good for adults, not for very First lessons
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a very fun supplement book along with the Essentials series and Suzuki series. I buy as many songbooks for beginners as possible so I can mix things up when I get bored. I am an adult student that may be at a 6th grade level (with violin). I'm over halfway through this book now and really enjoying it. But I do already know how to play a violin in first position and can read sheet music. I like this book because they have some slightly longer pieces, but they are not extremely difficult so you can hone your skills as far as bow strokes, accents, slurs, crescendo, decrescendo, etc.