I've decided that I would love to take up the fiddle, but the only problem is that I travel alot and so working out any kind of proper lessons is tough. So I was hoping anyone could recommend the best books/videos to get a complete beginner started?
Kevin Burke has an instruction video available on his website. You'd save yerself a lot of time taking maybe half a dozen lessons from a real teacher to give you the basics, which can be hard when picking it up for the first time.
Yep, find a teacher who'll give you a lesson whenever you're in town. Use the other materials to supplement that. A teacher can help you avoid bad habits and explain the nuances, even if you only go once in a while.
Try Homespun tapes http://www.homespuntapes.com/
I would recommend Jay Ungar's - not really Irish but very good at level 2. If for instance you played mandolin or tenor banjo, level 2 is fine to start with.
You'll find the Kevin Burke dvd's on the same site.
As a complete beginner on fiddle, one of the best tutors now available would be Kathleen Nesbitt's "Irish Fiddle Tutorial" - (book and CD). It covers everything from how to hold the fiddle and bow, music theory, simple starter tunes moving on to suggested ornamentation and slow airs. It also has a large selection of dance and session tunes.
Best Books/DVDs to learn with?
Best Books/DVDs to learn with?
Hi all,
I've decided that I would love to take up the fiddle, but the only problem is that I travel alot and so working out any kind of proper lessons is tough. So I was hoping anyone could recommend the best books/videos to get a complete beginner started?
Thanks very much.
# Posted on November 21st 2005 by murphyinDC
Re: Best Books/DVDs to learn with?
Kevin Burke has an instruction video available on his website. You'd save yerself a lot of time taking maybe half a dozen lessons from a real teacher to give you the basics, which can be hard when picking it up for the first time.
# Posted on November 21st 2005 by Farr
Re: Best Books/DVDs to learn with?
Yep, find a teacher who'll give you a lesson whenever you're in town. Use the other materials to supplement that. A teacher can help you avoid bad habits and explain the nuances, even if you only go once in a while.
# Posted on November 21st 2005 by Will CPT
Re: Best Books/DVDs to learn with?
Philippe Varlet would be a good teacher in the DC area:
http://irishfiddle.homestead.com/Lessons.html
# Posted on November 22nd 2005 by MC2
Re: Best Books/DVDs to learn with?
I have the '100 Session Tunes "book. I thnk thats really helpful. THey also have the book with the CD, but I didn't get that one.
# Posted on November 22nd 2005 by CELTICCHEF83
Re: Best Books/DVDs to learn with?
Portland Collections are good for learning tunes that a lot of people know. At least on the west coast anyway...
# Posted on November 22nd 2005 by Music Addict
Re: Best Books/DVDs to learn with?
Try Homespun tapes http://www.homespuntapes.com/
I would recommend Jay Ungar's - not really Irish but very good at level 2. If for instance you played mandolin or tenor banjo, level 2 is fine to start with.
You'll find the Kevin Burke dvd's on the same site.
# Posted on November 22nd 2005 by Cath
Re: Best Books/DVDs to learn with?
As a complete beginner on fiddle, one of the best tutors now available would be Kathleen Nesbitt's "Irish Fiddle Tutorial" - (book and CD). It covers everything from how to hold the fiddle and bow, music theory, simple starter tunes moving on to suggested ornamentation and slow airs. It also has a large selection of dance and session tunes.
Once you've worked your way through that you might consider the Comhaltas Foinn Seisiun books and accompanying CDs - see http://www.comhaltas.com/seisiun/foinn.htm.
PS Kathleen's tutorial costs 45 Euro and is stocked by Comhaltas in Monkstown
# Posted on November 23rd 2005 by Bannerman