The Irish Fiddle Book Book/Online Audio

Excellent pieces for beginning fiddlers.

A while ago I decided to pick up my old fiddle again, with the idea of learning Irish music, and after working with a few sources, I have to say that this book is a really great place to start. The chapters introduce new concepts and techniques in a gradual manner, so that as you learn repertoire you're also learning about ornamentation, bowing, and the different dance forms of Irish trad music. The CD is absolutely essential, because the feel of each type of dance just can't be captured by notation, but if you listen to this CD (and a good amount of "real" recordings as well) you'll get the idea quickly enough. I've been working with this book exclusively for a month or so and I've learned about a dozen tunes, all of them a real pleasure to play, enough that I know that I'm going to eventually learn everything in the book. I'm really glad I decided to pick this up; it's been a great start to my little adventure in Irish fiddle music.I'm not a beginner, so I can't speak to the effectiveness of the first 47 pages of the book, which is basic instruction in violin technique and notation. It looks pretty solid, but seriously -- if you're that much of a beginner, please save yourself a lot of struggle, and save the people around you a lot of earaches, and just spend some money on a real live teacher (or a group class) until you can produce a nice tone and are comfortable reading notation. The teacher doesn't have to know anything about fiddle styles, the basics are identical no matter what style(s) you eventually take up. Violin is one of those instruments where you really shouldn't wing it by yourself at the outset. If you take the trouble to achieve basic competence on the instrument to begin with, though you might feel impatient with that part of the process, once you have that foundation you can do anything and the time and money invested will repay you thousands of times over, in time and pleasure gained. The way I did it back in the day when I was super-broke, was I took a string orchestra class at the local community college, and I got a lot of help from more-experienced fellow students. More recently I took biweekly private lessons for a few months in order to get set up properly again. You'll find it's more than worth it.

Printed tunes are very readable and clear. Editor's organization is logical and has very nice understandable suggestions for the less practicised player as well as an accomplished one. I haven't yet used the CD that came with it. Along the way author will teach some interesting stuff about many of the traditions of Irish fiddle tunes and songs. Includes plenty of dances and a couple of set lists; includes examples of every type of Irish music. If you are going to buy this and work from the book directly I recommend you have it converted to a spiral binding so you can lay it flat on the floor or (like me, on a music stand) without having it flip shut or drop to the floor. Well worth the money and the time you may spend using it. Fiull disclosure: I am an intermediate player and avoid memorizing music as much as possible. Not to say you shouldn't or couldn't do so from these materials if you wished and have the time.

So many tunes, the CD associated. Even the first tunes you learn are real tunes you'll want to learn not the usual twinkle twinkle nonsense. Tunes are taught and then ornamented versions of the same tunes taught so you can see how they might be incorporated. You'll be proud to play everything this book teaches you. Great resource that you will likely keep and refer back to for great fiddle tunes for years after being a simple beginner.

The rating could be misleading. It's a solid five-star package *if* you practice long and hard. Deduct stars if you don't have strong desire and discipline - no book is any good unless you actually do the work. This package can quickly and smoothly bring you up to a level of ability to begin playing with others, which is when the real learning always begins. There is no substitute for direct study with experienced players, but Matt's book would be a great tool in the hands of such a teacher, or a good way for you to prepare for such lessons. This material is not suitable for a complete beginner - a year of lessons based on one of the school methods such as Essential Elements seems a reasonable prerequisite.Should you have experience with fiddle music yet lack access to a teacher with a brogue, this package can fill that need as well. There are a couple of other book / CD packages that are comparable, Paul McNevin's and Peter Cooper's, that might be helpful in that case since they'll give you additional explanations, alternative bowings, and so forth. The broader perspective would be very helpful.Remember that it's ALL about the bow, and it only happens with *consistent* practice. But commit yourself to this course, and you *will* become a good Irish-style fiddler. Have a lot of fun!

I’m a professional violinist and so the first part of the book doesn’t apply for me, but it’s a great book for learning the Irish “style”.

I am coming back to playing the violin after many years away, and found this collection to be fun, informative, and engaging.The one thing I want to share that I haven't seen in previous reviews is that due to the thickness of the book, it's very difficult to use on a wire (folding type) music stand.This is one thick, heavy volume with a glued spine so it's hard to make it lay flat. Combined that with the weight, and you've got a wobbly, tippy stand with music flopping all over the place. I've taken to photocopying my current "favorites" and leaving the book on the shelf instead.

Being new to Irish fiddle playing, I had to go with a recommendation on what to purchase from my teacher. I am happy with this purchase! The accompanying CD is especially helpful. As he states in the text, some tunes aren't played exactly as written, so hearing a tune being played is helpful. Be warned - not all tunes are on the accompanying CD. I also like that the first couple of tracks are open string tuning, since I haven't purchased a tuner yet.

Wonderful book well written and great to use as a workbook

goes from start to I think intermediate, but I am just starting so maybe other reviews might say better

アイリッシュフィドルに惹かれて購入。1から音楽を始める方でも大丈夫なように基礎の基礎からページがあります。ただ、CDのデモ演奏がめちゃくちゃスイングしている？ような？特にJigこれが本場のサウンドかと感動する面もありますが、8分音符がﾀｰﾝﾀﾀｰﾝﾀﾀｰﾝﾀなので、バカ正直に譜面どおり弾いてきた人間には衝撃でした。

OK, c'est en anglais. Mais si vous cherchez un livre sur le fiddle irlandais, celui-ci est cent coudées au-dessus de certains essais français approximatifs. Tout est décrit pas à pas, le répertoire est riche et varié, les exemples nombreux, une bible je vous dis ! A compléter avec la méthode en français de Daniel Gourdon pour la seule partie qui manque : des exercices progressifs pour amener la maîtrise des ornements et des coups d'archet (danielgourdon.musiquetrad.org).Alain M.

Ce livre était recommandé dans un article que j'ai lu sur Internet. C'est mieux que ce que j'ai cherché. Je suis très contente.