Teach Yourself Bluegrass Fiddle

Rating:
Summary: Great for getting into bluegrass fiddling!
Review: I agree with the other reviews, this is definitely not intended for players with no violin/fiddle experience. However, for someone who already knows how to play and wants to venture into bluegrass, it's perfect. Each tune has sheet music with backup and breaks, plus the cd has each tune twice - once with the fiddle and once without. The tempos are good - challenging but not impossible. It's like having a very patient band behind you - they never get tired!

Rating:
Summary: Great for getting into bluegrass fiddling!
Review: I agree with the other reviews, this is definitely not intended for players with no violin/fiddle experience. However, for someone who already knows how to play and wants to venture into bluegrass, it's perfect. Each tune has sheet music with backup and breaks, plus the cd has each tune twice - once with the fiddle and once without. The tempos are good - challenging but not impossible. It's like having a very patient band behind you - they never get tired!

Rating:
Summary: Applying fiddle technique to double bass
Review: IF YOU ARE A BEGINNER, don't expect to walk in and be able to teach yourself how to use a violin bow to make good sound. If you want to learn how to play a bowed string instrument, GET A TEACHER - you will not learn it in a book.

While I do play some violin, I'm primarily a bassist, and I decided to have little fun - by playing bluegrass fiddle licks on double bass. This is no small undertaking, but many of the tunes here can be played on bass in different octaves (depending on your playing ability.) Some are easier than others, but the more difficult ones could be transposed into easier keys or played at a different octave where the fingering might be easier. The CD is helpful - tracks with solo fiddle allow you to hear the style, and those without are for fun practice and improvisation.

If you are a bassist, I suggest having some knowledge of the Rabbath Bass Method first - Book 1 played up an octave would be a good start. This book is a great way to expand your bass technique and learn a new style of music.

Keep in mind I'm not using this book as it was intended (i.e. for violin.) Good luck.

Rating:
Summary: Applying fiddle technique to double bass
Review: IF YOU ARE A BEGINNER, don't expect to walk in and be able to teach yourself how to use a violin bow to make good sound. If you want to learn how to play a bowed string instrument, GET A TEACHER - you will not learn it in a book.

While I do play some violin, I'm primarily a bassist, and I decided to have little fun - by playing bluegrass fiddle licks on double bass. This is no small undertaking, but many of the tunes here can be played on bass in different octaves (depending on your playing ability.) Some are easier than others, but the more difficult ones could be transposed into easier keys or played at a different octave where the fingering might be easier. The CD is helpful - tracks with solo fiddle allow you to hear the style, and those without are for fun practice and improvisation.

If you are a bassist, I suggest having some knowledge of the Rabbath Bass Method first - Book 1 played up an octave would be a good start. This book is a great way to expand your bass technique and learn a new style of music.

Keep in mind I'm not using this book as it was intended (i.e. for violin.) Good luck.

Rating:
Summary: not for beginners
Review: the book is intended for people who already play the fiddle and would like to play bluegrass. with this qualifacation out of the way, I liked the book.

Rating:
Summary: Great for learning bluegrass fiddle!
Review: This book is designed for someone who already has at least a basic knowledge of how to play fiddle/violin. It will help you learn how to read music, and has very good descriptions of several bowing techniques. It includes numerous classic fiddle songs. Perhaps the most valuable aspect of the book is that for most songs it tells you not only the melody, but also a suggested way to play backup for each song and a suggested way to play a break/solo to accompany the song. Therefore, it will keep you entertained by allowing you to play with a song in a number of ways, either by yourself or with a band.

Rating:
Summary: Great for learning bluegrass fiddle!
Review: This book is designed for someone who already has at least a basic knowledge of how to play fiddle/violin. It will help you learn how to read music, and has very good descriptions of several bowing techniques. It includes numerous classic fiddle songs. Perhaps the most valuable aspect of the book is that for most songs it tells you not only the melody, but also a suggested way to play backup for each song and a suggested way to play a break/solo to accompany the song. Therefore, it will keep you entertained by allowing you to play with a song in a number of ways, either by yourself or with a band.