Looking for beginner tunes to work on
Looking for a few suggestions of 'simple' classical tunes to work on. Something feasible for a beginner that will help break up the monotony of scale practice. I've downloaded some scores for music I own on cd (bach paritas for example), things far, far beyond my ability I know but it's fun just to maneuver through the fingerings even if at a snails pace. I practice the standard fare of Twinkle, dreidel song, can-can, etc, etc every day. I'm just looking for something a little more... mature?
One page songs, if they'd be recognized by anyone outside of the musician world so much the better :).
Replies (6)
Eric,
My heart goes out to you. I was turned off by the childish songs in most books. You would think that adults (or mature young people) were not allowed to learn the violin. I will try to help when I get back in town next week. But tell me, which books are you using. That can help me a lot.
If you have the Suzuki 1 book, they have Minuet 1, 2 and 3 by Bach in there.
Eric,
You may want to consider ordering "The Waltz Book" collected by Bill Matthiesen
http://www.bfv.com/waltz/
The waltzes are lovely...many are relatively simple...and I feel that playing waltzes will help you play with feeling and emotion. You can play waltzes for any occasion! Each waltz has chords so.. you can get a pianist to chord with you or you can get a guitar player to play.
I like the Suzuki books also... this is just another thought.
Happy music making!
Katie
(nope... I have nothing to do with the waltz books publications.... I just love playing waltzes and these are great books! :)
You can also try Solo pieces for the Beginner Violinist.
Thanks for the tips, I'll pick up the waltz book and check out the others. I have two books currently. The one my teacher uses is Essential Elements 2000 for Strings. I've been playing for 6 weeks and can play all the pieces on the book, though I hate the tone of my playing, still don't nail the notes on-pitch all the time, etc. The other book I have is Preparing for Kreutzer vol 1 by Whistler. Picked it up just because browsing through it, there seemed to be a few first position Etudes in it that I could take a crack at and the other book, frankly, bores me to tears even though I know you have to start with the simple stuff to progress.
Thanks again for the advice.
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May 20, 2005 at 04:42 PM · That is a tough one! I liked the Suzuki books - but from that - your teacher - or a local luthier or miscians shop should be able to help you out! Also - everyone here should have some great responses - so let's see what they say! Take care!