Violin For Dummies, 2nd Edition [Paperback]

Despite being one of the most popular musical instruments for budding musicians, the violin has a reputation as being amongst the most difficult to learn. But no longer. Violin for Dummies is packed with the information you need to learn the art of this beautiful instrument, whether you're looking to get a head start before taking up lessons or are already studying with a tutor but want a little boost. With this book—which includes an accompanying CD filled with audio and video samples and tutorials—you have everything you need to get started.

Even if you've never read a note of music, this book will have you playing in no time, introducing you to the fundamentals of the violin, from selecting and tuning to understanding rhythm, musical notation, and harmony.

• Features newly recorded video and music on a bonus CD
• Walks you through everything from how to hold your violin to playing popular classical, jazz, gypsy, and fiddle tunes
• Filled with all-new content, including new music and updated resources
• Designed for aspiring musicians going it alone, the book can also serve as an invaluable aid for instructors

Fully revised and updated, Violin For Dummies builds on the winning formula that made the original a bestseller, establishing it as the only book the aspiring violinist needs to get started.

The fast and fun way to learn violin!

Throughout the world, the violin is one of the most popular choices of instrument for budding musicians, even though it has a reputation for being difficult to learn. Now learning the violin has just become a lot easier: Violin For Dummies, Second Edition is packed with the information you need to learn the art of playing this beautiful instrument, whether you're looking to get a head start before taking up lessons or are already studying with a tutor but want a little boost. With this book — which includes an accompanying CD filled with audio and video samples and tutorials — you have everything you need to get started.

• Get to know your violin — figure out how to tune and hold your violin

• Grasp the challenges of a proper bow hold — discover different approaches to holding your bow

• Learn to express yourself with different bow strokes — see how using different bow lengths affects sound

• Explore musical notation — become familiar with reading music, playing scales, and recognizing key signatures

• Expand your repertoire — investigate different styles such as classical, country, gypsy, and jazz

• Change positions — hit a high note by following the exercises for playing in first, second, third, and fourth positions

• Find your musical match — get to know which violin and bow are right for you

Bonus CD Includes

MP3 files of every song and exercise from the book, plus video clips demonstrating techniques to help you take a bow and play!

Open the book and find:

• How to choose the right violin and accessories

• The right way to hold your violin

• The nuances of musical notations

• How to tune your violin

• Why you need to clean your strings

• How to play double stops

• The best way to try pizzicato

• Where to find a tutor or teacher

• Audio and video examples on the CD-ROM

Learn to:

• Hold, tune, and play your violin

• Understand musical notation, rhythm, and harmony

• Play popular classical, jazz, gypsy, and fiddle tunes

Audio and video samples and tutorials on the companion CD