Building Technic With Beautiful Music for Violin, Vol. I

I am a violin teacher, and I love this series as a supplement to Suzuki materials for new players. The songs are short, and nicely accessible. For a bit older beginners, Applebaum's detailed notes on different bowing articulations and styles are really helpful. While young beginners may not learn much from his explanations, I appreciate his division of songs by learning goals.I also love the variety of these songs. Suzuki songs are easy to burn out working through, and my other lesson books (I use String Explorers) are great, but the songs are primarily one-liners that don't give much reward for playing. I love to mix in some of songs from these books, especially when a student needs a bit more work on a particular concept. It doesn't feel like a punishment, but rather a nice break from our other materials.My only critique is that Applebaum almost immediately introduces low second finger in his songs, which does limit how soon I can start my students using this series, since most other books wait much longer to introduce "off-tape" playing.

I just discovered this series, which is a great supplement to any method, including Suzuki. Applebaum has arranged zillions of engaging pieces to help students build confidence at each level, and in multiple keys. Book 1 is good for anyone struggling with the second half of Suzuki Book 1 and needing to build some confidence. Every page has a paragraph of explanation about bow technique that is helpful for teachers and student alike. I find as a teacher that I agree with about 90% of what Applebaum says in these blurbs. They also work for adult students. I'm looking forward to incorporating these books into my teaching.

Great teaching tool, but must be used with other teaching material.

Ok

Recommended by our teacher.

hello, this is actually review for site maker who did a mistake placing a viola book in LOOK INSIDE feature, so when you try to see the content of pieces for violin you can only guess what they might be.

I love that technical book for violin students, especially a self teaching elderly student like myself, the theory is well explained and easy to follow I recommend this book to every student who practices hard and well to become a better musician, from Clo in Canada