Violin Dreams


Book Description

"A rapturous, witty, and passionate memoir ... Violin Dreams is not only the story of a man becoming an artist, it’s a history of twentieth-century music.” -- John Guare, Tony Award-winning playwright Arnold Steinhardt, for more than forty years an international soloist and the first violinist of the Guarneri String Quartet, brings warmth, wit, and fascinating insider details to the story of his lifelong obsession with the violin, that most seductive and stunningly beautiful instrument. His story is rich with vivid scenes: the terror inflicted by his early violin teachers, the sensual pleasure involved in the pursuit of the perfect violin, the charged atmosphere of high-level competitions. Steinhardt describes Bach’s Chaconne as the holy grail for the solo violin, and he illuminates, from the perspective of an ardent owner of a great Storioni violin, the history and mysteries of the renowned Italian violinmakers. Violin Dreams includes a remarkable CD recording of Steinhardt performing Bach’s Partita in D Minor as a young violinist forty years ago and playing the same piece especially for this book. A conversation between the author and Alan Alda on the differences between the two performances is included in the liner notes.




The Violin


Book Description




The Secrets of Violin Playing - Being Full Instructions and Hints to Violin Players, for the Perfect Mastery of the Instrument


Book Description

“The Secrets of Violin Playing” is a classic guide to playing the violin, dealing with every aspect from care and maintenance of the instrument to mastering the basics and avoiding common problems. It contains a wealth of timeless information that will be of considerable utility to novice players, and it is not to be missed by collectors of vintage violin literature. Contents include: “The Purpose of the Work”, “Violin Players”, “The Trifler”, “The Showy Player”, “The Model Player”, “Holding the Violin”, “Chin-Rests (illustrated)”, “The Spoon, Double Ridge, Spohr, Adjustable Voigt's Shoulder, and New Vulcanite Chin-Rests”, “Their Advantages and Disadvantages Analysed and Explained”, etc. Many vintage books such as this are increasingly scarce and expensive. It is with this in mind that we are republishing this volume now in an affordable, modern, high-quality edition complete with a specially-commissioned new introduction on the history of the violin.







Just Play


Book Description

A revolutionary new understanding of the mind is transforming the field of performance psychology, making it easier than ever before for musicians to bring out the best in themselves and make music as nature intended. Not only that, but it offers renewed hope for sufferers of anxiety, depression and a whole host of other psychological disorders.




The Strad


Book Description




The Genius of Simplicity


Book Description

The Genius of Simplicity was written in 1982 by Linda Wickes, an orchestral violinist, educator, lecturer and dedicated string teacher who uses the Suzuki Method®. Her book, the author herself claims, is a rebuttal or answer to the implication from skeptics that the Suzuki Method® is a "shallow simplistic gimmick." She accomplishes her goal, but succeeds in doing considerably more! Wickes begins her book with an analysis of Suzuki's philosophy, and continues with chapters entitled: Start Young * Step-by-Step Mastery * Learning by Listening * Group Lessons and Performances * Pedagogy and Technique * Parents and Practicing * Psychology. This book's most wonderful feature is the depth and breadth of research which has gone into each facet. The culmination of this research is a bibliography of such wealth as to be a required reading list for all interested in early childhood education. This book should be read and studied by all teachers, parents, and students of Suzuki as well as all people interested in the growing field of early childhood education.




Stephane Grappelli Gypsy Jazz Violin


Book Description

This book/CD set is the first method ever for learning Gypsy Jazz Violin in the style of Stéphane Grappelli. Have you, too, often listened to Grappelli's solos thinking "I wish I could do that, but it is way over my head?" Here is the answer. Simple theory, licks and stylistic lessons point you towards your first authentic Gypsy Jazz improvisations, which you can try out with the swinging guitar-bass playalong CD rhythm section. Then prepare to tackle six classic Stéphane Grappelli solos, annotated and analyzed for your understanding. to grasp the finesses of sound and timing, there are many sample licks and solos by Tim Kliphuis on the CD as well. It is assumed the student reads music and has a basic command of the instrument.•