Method books for adult beginner

July 30, 2012 at 03:44 PM · I can't believe I get to be the first to recommend Suzuki books. On the other hand if your musical tastes run toward Appalachian or old-time fiddling then there is the O'Connor Method.

One great thing about Suzuki books is that you can find a lot of youtube videos of the pieces being played by students of all ages.

July 30, 2012 at 05:37 PM · Yes, i definitely recommend the SUZUKI METHOD as well. For absolutely all ages. And the other methods I use as supplements with my students are SRICTLY STRINGS, STRING BUILDER, or STRING EXPLORER depending on the student.

July 30, 2012 at 06:32 PM · I began violin lessons at 60. The method books I've used have been All For Strings, Essential Elements for Strings and Suzuki. My teacher isn't really a "Suzuki Method" instructor, but there are some really nice pieces in the Suzuki books -- I've really enjoyed most of them so far.

July 30, 2012 at 09:06 PM · The only reason I differ with the Suzuki recommendation is that I find the teacher makes or breaks the use of those. Though there is a very logical organization it is not quite as step-by-step as other series which are written in more "curriculum style."

I think the Doflein books are fabulous, though I haven't yet had the chance to teach throguh them. Very structured, lots of info on technique and bigpicture musicality, great selections including a lot of duets. I don't think ylu could go wrong with those. Not so familiar with all for strings so can't help much there, and my only experience with muller-rusch is that the books felt very dated and clunky to me-but that's probably not really the info you were looking for!

If it were me, I would go for doflein and supplement with suzuki or other repertoire.

July 30, 2012 at 11:33 PM · Thank you all for the replies. Kathryn, I agree with your point about the importance of the teacher with suzuki. My teacher is not a suzuki teacher; he had my daughter buy the first book and I think she played two tunes from it, so it was a complete waste of time and money. Having said that, I may dig it out and work through the pieces myself. Thanks also for the comparison between doflein and muller-rusch, exactly the sort of thing I was looking for.

Marsha, could you give me a little more info on the All for Strings series? What sort of pieces are included? Are they interesting to play? Thanks again for the help.

July 31, 2012 at 01:42 AM · I don't like to learn from a set of structural method, it's personal preferences. But if your teacher is a good teacher, you should trust his/her teaching. If you just can't trust him/her, then change a new one.

July 31, 2012 at 10:47 AM · Check out Eta Cohen.

It's a collection of very short pieces (2-3 pieces in a page) that progresses in difficulty.

String Explorer is interesting. Has an accompaniment CD but doest not always progress in a systematic way. I rather use that as a supplement book.

Essential Elements is more suited to classroom teaching or very young students. It progresses rather slowly. But a very good book.

Strictly string is very dry and pedantic.

Suzuki book is not a method book. I will use it strictly as a supplement book. It's only a method book if used in the suzuki method.

August 12, 2012 at 11:11 AM · I used Doflein until my Suzuki training. I appreciate authors who don't fill their methods with their own well-meaning rubbish, but are prepared to borrow and transpose the wealth of excellent duet material written for flute, recorder etc.

Doflein and Suzuki are not compatible at the beginning: many German methods and duet books teach the "high 3" before the "low 2", so A major 2 octaves before G major. I tranpose many duets and studies (e.g. Spohr from C to D ).

August 12, 2012 at 08:33 PM · I'm also an adult beginner who went through Suzuki 1 and now am on Dorflein 2. My teacher is not a Suzuki teacher but she was game. My Suzuki book is about 5 years old and doesn't have as many preparatory exercises as the latest edition. I like the pieces in the Suzuki book and would prefer to stay with Suzuki but as Adrian stated, the two series aren't compatible, and my teacher prefers Dorflein.

August 12, 2012 at 10:00 PM · Thanks everyone. The Doflein is looking very appealing with Suzuki for some extra pieces.

August 15, 2012 at 12:24 AM · I went all Doflein books, with Wolfhart, and some other etude books. Then, Carl Flesch, and going with Auer method book ( BK 5 and 6) for review, Sevcik, Kayser, and Kreutzer book.

Doflein is one of the best method out there, esp for adults in my opinion.

Of course, with all other methods, I think a good teacher should have a lesson made accdg to a students needs, weaknesses, and potentials.

Hope it helps.

August 15, 2012 at 05:54 AM · Thanks,Elinor. That's very interesting.I ended up sending off for the first Doflein book and Wohlfahrt op 45. I'll show my teacher and see what he thinks. Hopefully it will help him to teach me what I need in a way that shows me how I am progressing so we will both be happy with the lessons!

August 15, 2012 at 10:15 AM · hi tarpie;

hope it works well. but i also suggest you stay alert/critical and see whether the teacher will be able to address your lessons in a progressive and methodical manner. the fact that s/he is a teacher should mean that s/he already is able to be methodical and comprehensive in his or her teaching. no?

August 15, 2012 at 11:30 AM · Hi Tammuz. Thanks for the reply. I agree with what you are saying. My teacher seems to be very particular about the basics - correct bowing, left hand shape, bowing, intonation - and I certainly seem to be learning; every now and then I will surprise myself by being able to play something new. But for me I would like more evidence of my progress on a regular basis. Does that make sense? So, I would like to be able to work through a book and see where I am going. I know this would not appeal to everyone. I feel it is only fair to ask/tell the teacher how I would like lessons to progress before deciding he is not the teacher for me. If it doesn't work out at least I will know what I am looking for in a new teacher.

August 16, 2012 at 11:48 AM · I agree with Adrian Doflein is not suitable for beginners, especially fresh beginners.

Perhaps Tarpie is already an intermediate violinist, starting on Doflein and Wohlfart op.45.

I think some of the posters, myself included, has confused with the term beginner.

August 16, 2012 at 12:17 PM · If you really are a beginner (that means never picked up the instrument before) try hard to follow what your teacher is recommending. They are doing you an immense favor if they focus on really basic work - open strings, using the whole bow, straight bowing, playing in tune - for as long as you can stand it before moving to ANY method.

I say that because those basic, basic techniques are what we all have to work on for ever and the better you are at them before you even put a finger on the string the less painful effort you will have to do later on.

I know where you are coming from, the urge is immense to play something - but playing something that sounds awful is not what you imagine its going to be but can instead undermine your determination to learn by making it all seem impossible.

I started (as a child) with the old English series 'a tune a day' which had much more very easy music than the Suzuki does - IMO more variety and more simplicity meant a positive feedback that was heartening. I recently dug out these (would you believe I still have the originals) and the tunes are delightful - I sometimes wonder if Mr Suzuki used 'A tune a day' for his first lessons (his method had to originate somewhere....) :D

August 16, 2012 at 12:55 PM · Definitely a beginner! I have only been learning for around 8 months. As I said before, my teacher is a stickler for getting the basics right and I have no trouble spending a lesson going back over bowing on open strings etc if he thinks that is what I need. I am learning a few pieces but I think I am looking for that sense of progress that comes with the 'tune a day' approach that elyse mentions- to know what I am working on and what I am heading towards. The lessons just seem a bit haphazard at the moment. I have just started working on exam pieces (ameb) so maybe this will bring a little more focus.

August 16, 2012 at 01:41 PM · at 8 months, i think you should defintely be on some primary method book. and i understand your desire to be able to somehow see the pedagogical thread of progression. i disagree that the Doflein book #1 is not tailored pursuant to the needs of the beginner. you can find it on Scrbd website to check it out (but of course best to purchase). my only personal difficulty with Dorflein is that because the book is structured around snippets of sales, etudes and music in quite a dense manner requiring a musically (in practice and theory) inquisitorial disposition from the student, paying sufficient and consistent attention is tricky to these tightly packed multifaceted yet complemetary snippets. its not just about playing through pieces and etudes. its quite a densely packed set of books...unlike tune a day, for instance, which, even in presentation, is more visually relieving - if i recall correctly- but probably needs to be supplemented. i have a lot of respect for the dorfleins but it scared me a bit then when i changed teachers, no more dorflein. and i think its definitely a rich pedagogical system unto itself. if your teacher is accomodating and committed (if s/he has not already worked with other students through the book), it would be great to start on if you don't have A.D.D :o) the opinion/critique of teachers here would be appreciated. ok, i'm out of breath

out of curiosity, how has your teacher sourced his/her excercises and pieces so far?

August 18, 2012 at 07:11 AM · I dont think you need a method book unless you just want one to feel that you are progressing. With the internet and all the free resources you can easily progress in your instrument. That being said, what is your current ability level, what are your goals, will this eventually replace your teacher? There are alot of things to consider. Heck, the first half of most beginner books repeat what you should have already covered anyways. What is it that you need or feel that you arent getting? A good violin teacher will address your concerns and help you not only set a goal but work towards it as well. You can always email, pm or ask me anytime whatever you may have a concern about.

that being said, You can and should create a violin practice journal. this is an example http://www.theviolinsite.com/journal.html

I dont recommend their product but its easy to make your own as I did. Set a goal, schedule the practice time et voila!