Doflein Method books

March 4, 2005 at 06:42 AM · I really like these books and find that I use them more and more for my students. They contain quite a lot of duets along with technical exercises, and there is much that helps fine-tune a person's pitch.

I have the most experience with Book 3, which I've used to solidify students' second and third position. It makes a good remedial for the student who has gone a little too far without a solid foundation. The book ends with a wonderful bit on half-position as well. I find that by the time a student finishes this book, their ability to read and play in second and third positions is quite strong. One of my best students, many years back, finished the book and commented, "That was the BEST BOOK, I learned so much!"

I only recently have started to use Book 1 with students, and I'll issue the following warning: it is not a good "first" method book. It just gets too difficult, too fast, for most students. What I'm doing is having the students do another book first (Muller Rusch Book 1), then this one. When a student is ready, though, it's a really great book. The myriad of duets, which range from Baroque to out-there 20th century stuff, get the student playing in harmony very early on. There is some simple double-stop work, clapping exercises, exercises in which a student has to write a musical "answer" to a musical "question," and more. They learn navigate music that has repeats, DCs, etc. In short, it's good training. I'd recommend it.

March 4, 2005 at 07:28 AM · Laurie has hit the nail on the head here.The first Doflein book moves very quickly and is not adapted to young beginners.However a preliminary volume is on the market (at least in Europe)which introduces elements a little slower.The layout is not appealing for young children either.I am no great fan of having to search for the notes through a myriad of pictures but I do think having large printed notes that are clearly visable is an essential for very young children.Having said that once the elements have been mastered aside from the methos the Dofleins have published various volumes of collections for young violinists ,all researched and musicaly correct,so the young student can approach the repetoire with a professional integrity.

March 4, 2005 at 04:30 PM · A couple of years ago I decided to go from scratch once again, just to see where I needed to fine tune. I worked through the Doflein books 1-3, and found them a great help.

They contain real music with preliminary exercises to get yo to work on a given pieces needs before you play it. Also, there are interesting time signatures, and loads of duets.

I use them to teach.

GC

March 4, 2005 at 05:32 PM · I really like the Doflein books. I did start with Book I but I had done Suzuki book 1 and had been studying piano for a few years. Doflein also publishes collections of violin and piano pieces for the more advanced students.

July 19, 2005 at 10:55 PM · The Doflein Books are a bit antiquated in language, but are amazing. My students are benefiting greatly from them.