Comments

Buri, thanks for yet another wonderful review! I’ve benefited enormously from every book, CD, DVD that you recommended and I followed, with the exception of some meditation CDs from the Wildmind. (The leader/performer of these CDs has an accent that I find distracting, but that’s something else.) I really don’t need another violin book but now I can’t do without Drew’s book because I know I’ll be so glad that I have it just like all the other books I’ve got based on your recommendation. You are really good at this, you know? Buri,

I was just about to hit the hay and took a moment to check out the blogs…

Thank you,
Drew

Buri,
Is this a book I could work on alone or does it need a teacher's help/guidance?
Since my teacher does not read/speak English, if I needed her assistance I would have to translate everything. Also I'm not sure she'd appreciate me working through other material (if only for the reason that it slows my progress on what I'm working on with her)
Bernadette I bought Basics on Buri's recommendation, and I don't even play violin. ;-)

Maybe that could be their blurb...or maybe Buri's...

Greetings,
Bernadette, there is no reason why you cannot work on this nbook on your own. It's perfectly self explanatory and not particlarly wordy. One of the cool things about it thta I didn"t mention is that it contains lots of little tips scattered all over the palce that cna really help with a specific problem you might have. One interesting point Drew makes is that vibrato should not be practiced with the wrist initially practiced against the body of the violin. An approach that has, to my knowledge, has never been challenged before;)
Cheer,s
Buri Buri,

I am swamped with teaching right now, but will work up a blog on both the shifting curiosity (“hint, hint”) and the vibrato method you mentioned to Bernadette.

You really did hit the nail on the head when you mention the book is for a thinking teacher and student. It is all about starting points and developing beyond those points knowing everything you are doing and playing –– everything.

It is to be overlaid from one study to the next. I didn’t want it to be cumbersome and overwhelming to even a beginner –– I use it with beginners to professionals. My original goal was about 50 pages with 5 of text. Couldn’t boil it down to that, but I could easily expand it to 1000+ pages…… why? The mind is a great storehouse, if developed.

In the first lesson I tell the student, “I hate dumb violinists. Everything is to be memorized and known.”

It is about “How to master…” (subtitle) the various skills required to accomplish the scales, arpeggios, double-stops, musical phrasing and mastery of the bow and left hand.

You are so very right that the world does not need another book with scales, etc., and that is the very reason I felt compelled to write my book –– it’s different with a purpose.

If you ever come to the Chicago area, we must meet up.

Thank you again, and do not hesitate to let me know if any other questions pop up.

Long day tomorrow and then I’ll work on some blogs…
Drew