Music books or sheet music for beginner violin?

[AnonyMaw]

What music books or sheet music has your young beginner violinist got on best with? I've just got my 6yo DD a violin, she's an absolute beginner. As yet I haven't got her a teacher, this is on my 'to do' list, there are a couple locally I know of. I've had 10 years of violin/viola tuition myself in the past, so I'm happy that I can teach her techniques etc. I'm just not sure what would be the best music book or sheet music to start her with. From my very foggy memory of my own first tuition, I think I had Abracadabra violin, and I vaguely recall it was suitable for an absolute beginner, but when I looked it up on Amazon the latest edition is not that highly regarded.

The teacher we're most likely to end up using is quite inexperienced in teaching younger children, she's only recently out of teacher training, and teaches music at a secondary school, so I'm not sure this is her area of expertise either. So any helpful pointers would be appreciated!

[foolonthehill]

we use the "fiddle-time" series which starts with fiddle time joggers Nice variety ofpieces, easy to read and comes with a cd which helps for "concerts", timing and confidence. Hope your daughter loves her violin!

[pugsandseals]

Fiddletime has a previous book for younger ones called Fiddletime Starters, but in my opinion it's not very good -hate the whole series as it doesn't teach reading- . There are 2 schools of thought,

1. Teach open strings, then 1st fingers, then 2nd, then 3rd on all strings at once Fiddletime/Superstart
   
2. Teach one note (e.g D), then D1 (E), D2 (F#), D3 (G), A, A1 (B) etc. like Abra/String builder/Eta Cohen
   I would try Abracadabra Beginners (not book 1) for fun/funky backing tracks or something traditional if you are keen to teach note reading early String builder/Eta Cohen. If you want pages of open strings try Stepping Stones.

[AnonyMaw]

Thanks for the info above, it's useful to read the summary of teaching styles above, pugs. When I read the Amazon reviews in more detail, it seemed that the people giving Abracadabra poor reviews did so because of print and quality problems, rather than problems with content.

I had a rake around in the back of my cupboards, and I found my old music books, I have a 25yr old copy of Abracadabra book 1, well worn, and string builders books 2 and 3, but not 1. I recall I used the string builders books less often. I'll need to have a good look through all that I've got. When I learned to play I remember starting with open strings first, then moving onto Abracadabra, so almost a combination of the two methods above. I've not heard of Eta Cohen before.

I'd be keen to teach note reading early, it seems like an essential part of it all, and something I have a bit of a weakness with, e.g. I never got to grips with sight reading, and always had to hear music played before I could play it myself.

[foolonthehill]

yes, all my Dcs sing and play piano and i suppose were familiar with black dots and squiggles before taking up strings...so of course have had an "easy" ride with the theory and reading side with their string teachers.

[ImNotaCelebrity]

I used (and still use) the Fiddle Time series with DS (yr 3). He's doing grade 3 this term, so he's clearly done ok with them! He started in year 1, aged 5.5. We started with Joggers - didn't bother with Starters. I used my old Waggon Wheels/Stepping Stones as sight reading practice as I find them quite boring, but technically they're useful. I think your old Abracadabra will be useful for supplementing whatever you choose to use as the main teaching book - don't throw it out!

You're right to get going with note reading early, but don't neglect playing by ear; this should certainly be a starting point, with lots of fun games for developing good technique from day 1, particularly bowing.

Re the teacher being inexperienced with younger pupils, they may just need reminding about expectations with little ones. When I first started teaching many years ago I had loads of junior children, and one little boy who was in reception. When I think back, it makes me cringe!! I had no idea that he would need treating differently!!

[CURIOUSMIND]

We used WAGGON WHEELS, FIGGLE TIME JOGGERS, both are quite nice tune ,easy to follow.After new year, we are using ETA COHEN METHOD BOOK 2. I heard he is famous, but I personally found the book looks so boring, some of the tune is hard to listern to(sounds not in tune even it's played well).I am very confused about this recently.The teacher said, it will come.Luckily, Ds1 didn't complain.

[CURIOUSMIND]

Ps, my Ds1 has strong piano background, so theory,sightreading are very easy for him.Can anybody make some comments to ETA COHEN method book 2 please?