Mel Bay's Violin Primer

Rating:
Summary: Like the music teacher you never wanted.
Review: As a rank beginner who can't read music or play any other instrument, I bought this book hoping for a quick, friendly intro to the fiddle. But it doesn't really seem to be written for self-teaching; instead, it offers a series of "exercises" (i.e. not music!) for teachers to assign. What little text there is (the book is mostly music and a few pictures) is pedantic and unfriendly, and even in the illustrations the model never looks like he's enjoying the instrument. The material itself, while skimpy, is useful -- you learn how to play four notes on each string. I haven't found a better alternative, but this is not an encouraging place to begin.

Rating:
Summary: You get what you pay for
Review: Being in University, and having a housemate who has played the violin for +5 years does help . Since he 'refuses' to teach, and I don't feel comfortable asking, this book comes in great to fill the gaps.
If you have a music background, then reading the sheet music is easy.
It's a great methodical introduction to the notes and strings.
It's a bit on the skimpy side, but I geuss you get what you pay for. It would probably be best to go to a library, since this book can be mastered in 2 weeks.

Rating:
Summary: Great for anybody who already has some music knowledge
Review: I wouldn't recommend this book for anybody who is a beginner in music, but I love it! I just started with it and it goes at just the right pace! It's fast enough so that you don't get bored but not too fast that you get lost! I highly recommend this book!

Rating:
Summary: Pretty good, but one major drawback!
Review: There's one major drawback: There's no CD available! otherwise an ok supplement.

Rating:
Summary: Mel Bay's Violin Primer by Frank Zucco
Review: This is an excellent primer. As an adult beginner with years of piano experience, what I needed most was something to explain the violin in basic terms. This book does that -- and with many well-thought, straightforward photographs showing the reader exactly how to hold the instrument and bow. A video I had bought frustrated me. The video moved too fast, and hitting rewind constantly was distracting. But this primer is a BOOK! I could take my time (in front of a mirror -- highly recommended, by the way) and compare my position with the photographs. When I find a teacher, the book will still be an excellent reference until I learn instinctively how to hold the instrument and move the bow. If you're a violin beginner, this violin primer will be the best handful of dollars you spend.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent starting book for the first time violinist
Review: When I recently decided to teach myself how to play violin, I bought several "beginner" books, but liked this one the most. I already knew how to read music, but had absolutely no experience with the violin. The Violin Primer begins by identifying the parts of the violin, showing you how to properly hold the instrument and the bow. The book teaches you how to finger the first four notes of a major scale originating on each open string. It then presents some simple melodies using these notes. All this book needs to be perfect would be a section on how to rosin the bow and how to finger chromatic scales. The book does not teach you how to read music, however all melodies are based on quarter notes, so all you need is note recognition skills. If you already know music, you will complete this book quickly and be ready to advance.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent starting book for the first time violinist
Review: When I recently decided to teach myself how to play violin, I bought several "beginner" books, but liked this one the most. I already knew how to read music, but had absolutely no experience with the violin. The Violin Primer begins by identifying the parts of the violin, showing you how to properly hold the instrument and the bow. The book teaches you how to finger the first four notes of a major scale originating on each open string. It then presents some simple melodies using these notes. All this book needs to be perfect would be a section on how to rosin the bow and how to finger chromatic scales. The book does not teach you how to read music, however all melodies are based on quarter notes, so all you need is note recognition skills. If you already know music, you will complete this book quickly and be ready to advance.