Reddit reviews Essential Elements for Strings - Book 1 with EEi: Violin

I teach beginners (and intermediate and advanced) and beginners are the hardest to start. Getting them past the hurtles of muscle memory, strength, and finding out that playing an instrument isn't as easy as playing a game on a phone is the trick. Don't take it personally if you have kids stop. The adults will stay with it longer.

I like to start most of my beginning students in the Essential Elements book the notes are bigger than Suzuki method, as is an emphasis in reading. Musical jargon is explained in highlighted areas on the pages. Music literacy makes comprehension a lot easier. It is a focus of mine from day one with each student (as young as 5).

If you understand what is on the page, it's easier to figure out as you get into more complicated pieces and areas of your violin - rather than being overwhelmed by a bunch of random finger numbers and random Italian words.

I use different colors of washi tape for the first 3 finger tapes. We marker their book for the first few pages (or until the idea sticks) so they can understand the concept of go up a line or a space and you go up an alphabet letter.

We start off guitar style for the first week (or longer depending on the student). They letter the notes in pencil under the notes until they can reliably name the notes quickly. Then we start to erase the letters for them to play the songs again.

I have a very low turnover rate at the store I've been teaching at for the past 5 years. I teach a ton of beginners.

I have no teaching advice to give since I'm still a relative beginner myself, but as an adult learner perhaps I can give some advice from the student's perspective.

My first lessons (after my teacher showed me how to hold the instrument, do pizzicato, bow from the elbow, etc.) were taught using the Essential Elements book. I thought it did a decent job as a first step to learning intonation. We also did the Twinkle Theme and variations from Suzuki Book 1, because of course every beginner has to learn Twinkle Twinkle Litte Star lol. Honestly I don't remember much after that, because she wasn't a very good teacher. The one thing I do remember clearly, and am thankful to her for, is that she taught me to do scales with normal (separate) bows, slurred bows, and in sequential thirds. Sequential thirds in particular have proven to be really good finger exercises for me, and I was surprised when I looked through the ABRSM scale book that it's not part of their repertoire. (If anyone doesn't know what sequential thirds are, look at measures 19 - 26 of this score.)

My second (and current) teacher instructs me using the Suzuki Books(see note below), with lessons modified for me since I'm an adult (the Suzuki Method is meant for children). I've been very happy with this teacher and the Suzuki Books - they contain good tunes and the progression can be quite demanding, which is good if you're up to the challenge. Being an adult beginner, one of my biggest issues was/is stiff fingers, so I remember having a lot of trouble when I was first introduced to G Major, with that low 2nd finger C (when I played the low 2nd finger it would also pull my 3rd and 4th fingers flat). So be prepared for that, and other similar issues. My teacher is really good at both pushing me to improve, but at the same time being very laid back and always making a point to instruct me to relax and not beat myself up - which is important because as we all know, learning violin can be very frustrating.

• Note: Just buy the paperback version of the Suzuki books. No need to pay extra for the version with the CD, since you can find all the Suzuki pieces on YouTube. Check this thread I made here a while back for the relevant links.
  
  I hope that helped a little. I'll edit my post if I think of anything else that might be useful to you.

/u/Morthy's Demands: I only have one wishlist. =]

1. I feel like classical music could be something posh. haha
   
2. People may think I'm odd if I just busted this out in public.
   
3. Sadly I had nothing phallic on my list, what is wrong with me?!
   
   /u/Akeleie's Demands:
   
   
4. Possibly this, but not sure if she's that geekish, more like awesome!
   
5. This to help me relearn what I've forgotten.
   
6. I don't think anything on my list would be helpful, except maybe these? lol
   

Get into the habit of playing scales regularly. Scales will help you develop pitch recognition (getting used to what "in tune" sounds like), tone quality, bow usage (use full bows!) and it will help you learn the higher octaves/positions once you advance.
When I started learning violin, I used the "Essential Elements" method book, which has pretty useful information and exercises. (http://www.amazon.com/Essential-Elements-Strings-Book-Violin/dp/0634038176)

I normally start by doing the bottom A, C, D and G major scales with different pattern bows strokes, then do the full scales top to bottom. After that i'm kind of jumping into playing a few pieces from this book:https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/9043127515/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1, then practice a few things from the either Suzuki book 1, or one or two things from this book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0955438462/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 or this one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0634038176/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1. After doing that I normally try and do some 3rd position scales (Which I'm still really having to work at) and have recently started learning to do double stops.

When I notice I'm getting out of tune I normally stop, go back to the start of the phrase I was playing, play the notes in the key I'm playing, then go back over the phrase to see if it sounds better.

I also normally have a go at a few pieces from The Lord of the Rings book, from Full Metal Alchemist, a book of Disney songs (as they're familiar) or another piece that's caught my ear from gaming.

hi!
It is a somewhat old post, but I was thinking it over myself for over 10 years so maybe it would be still helpful :)
I got my violin at the end of March, as I understand cheap violins can be frustrating. You can search for rentals. I am on a rent-to-own program so anything I pay for rent is going to owning a violin in the future. In the meantime I am learning on a $700 dollar violin.
As books, you can start with Suzuki violin book 1 (with CD) and Essential Elements for Strings: Violin 1.

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_25?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=suzuki+violin+book+1+with+cd&sprefix=suzuki+violin+book+1+with%2Cstripbooks%2C189&crid=9LAG8EWNCUFF

https://www.amazon.com/Essential-Elements-Strings-Book-Violin/dp/0634038176

Speaking from experience as both a violinist and teacher, obviously the best thing to do would be to see a teacher - but I definitely understand that isn't an option for everyone financially or time-wise. That said, here's my advice:

Start from the very beginning. Essential Elements is an awesome book series to teach you the basics, especially if you're rusty on reading music. The interactive CD helps quite a lot, and you should use it.

Put finger tapes on your instrument. Here is a good instructional on how to do it. I don't recommend the violin fretboard as it's too busy; the tapes are much easier to look at while you're playing.

Buy a tuner! If finances are a concern, you can download an app to your phone/tablet, but a digital tuner is your best option. I use this one and swear by it, particularly as it also has a metronome.

Practice using a full-length mirror. Since you don't have a teacher watching you play, you'll have to take on the role yourself. Particularly watch your left wrist (is it folding in against the instrument?) and your bow arm (is your bow moving straight and is your right shoulder hunched?). It sounds crazy, but practice in the bathroom...it usually has great acoustics and a large mirror. It works!

Make playing comfortable. If you need one, use a shoulder rest - they aren't especially expensive and make a great deal of difference in holding the instrument securely and comfortably (you don't want to be pinching your shoulder upwards or angling your head downwards). The Kun is an industry standard and works well for most beginners. Also, use a stand - do NOT put your music down on your bed or on a table and hunch over to read it, as it totally ruins your playing posture and prevents you from bowing properly.

I hope this helps!

I’ve been a musician for 30 years and a music teacher for 11 years. You are never - ever - too old to learn an instrument. You’re 16. That’s prime time. Find yourself a violin that works, and get Essential Elements book 1.

This is a very good starting book for just $6. It'll give you a good idea of what to do with your fingers. It takes just a week or two to work through.