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Useful technique books for self-learners (violin/viola)
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wtw
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April 14, 2025 - 10:34 am
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I'm thinking of getting Fischer's Basics book. If you know it, what do you think of it and how useful would you rate it? It looks complete enough.
The fact that it's written for violin, with exercises in treble clef and not alto clef, should not be a great inconvenience.

I've got Paul Rolland's Teaching of action in string playing, and I like it a lot. It focuses on balance and natural motions. But it doesn't cover everything (was looking up trills the other day - didn't find it: of course, there's not much motion involved in a trill).

I've got Galamian's Principles of violin playing and teaching too. But I don't like it as much. It's a smaller book: less details there, and it doesn't stay open by itself, which is a pain. Does Fischer's stay open?

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Gordon Shumway
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April 14, 2025 - 11:26 am
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If you have to get another book, Basics is the book to get. My teacher's remedial work with me is mostly to be found in Basics, although, being Italian, she is unaware of Fischer.

But a book won't observe you nor see nor hear your faults.

Violinists seem to worry a lot about trills, to judge by the number of preparatory exercises I've seen. I don't understand it - they are totally normal on flute, clarinet, oboe. You wiggle a finger up and down quickly, with feeling (joke, or not?)

On the violin one tends to avoid the pinky (unavoidable on wind instruments)

Apart from that, you just have to listen to intonation.

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wtw
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April 18, 2025 - 3:27 am
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Thanks for the input. I bought Firscher's book, now I only have to do the "work".

Intonation is not really a problem here, but my trills are not consistent. Can sound good, or bad, depends. Also I have trouble with long trills, on more than one bow - with a bow change in the middle, and maybe a change in trill speed. Like here. I want to achieve that but need some more control…

But I may skip trills with the 4th finger.

Your teacher may know of Fischer but just not have used it during her music training?

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Gordon Shumway
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April 18, 2025 - 4:38 am
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But your problem may be your bowing technique, not your trilling technique - some things only a teacher can diagnose.

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wtw
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April 18, 2025 - 5:51 am
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Well, I won't be getting a teacher anytime soon - hence the book. I'll see how it helps, with other things too. I think my left hand is at fault. And/or the brain-to-hand connection.

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Mouse
April 18, 2025 - 3:59 pm
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@wtw I have the following, but not sure if they will be helpful. I have a hard time disciplining myself to use them properly, but some have some neat tunes to use to learn. 

Manfred Schmitz: A Little Pop Music Viola

Schirmer's Library of Musical Classics:  MOGILL Scale Studies for Viola Based on the Hrimaly Scale Studies for the Violin

Belwin Course for Strings Book 1 for Viola:String Builder by Samuel Applebaum

Belwin Course for Strings Book 2 for Viola: First Position Etudes for Strings by Samuel Applebaum

J. Frederick Müller & Harold W. Rusch Viola Book 1: String Method for Class or Individual Study 

These are Viola so not in treble clef. I need to get back to this and try to be more disciplined.

I also have some some books for viola. 

The Bumble Bee Flies

Learn Viola on Violaman and Fiddlerman's Fiddle Talk

Please ignore any typos. My typing ability on a real typewriter did not transfer to these device key pads.
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Gordon Shumway
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April 19, 2025 - 12:44 pm
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I'm not going to catalogue all the books I've got, but I did manage to nab a cheap copy of Whistler on 2nd and 4th positions for the Viola. I don't have, and don't need, his 3rd,5th,etc.

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