Renowned pedagogue Shirley Givens' series for beginning violinists is widely respected for its clear, child-friendly format, and its sensible progression through techniques. There are lots of pictures, fun and familiar songs, and even pages for coloring! Ms.Givens uses a "Movable Do" system to teach pitch relationships and good intonation. Recommended for very young children.
Book 4B, Looking Sharp On the Trail: New in this book are key signatures, expressive passing notes, learning and writing Sharps, flats and naturals. This is reinforced in Chapter 14 of the "Note People" story. Syncopation is presented as a physical movement (stamping and clapping) and with word rhythms leading up to lively songs. Good bow direction is secured with the "Musical Math" pages introduced here and continued in Book 4C. The student explores the fingerboard up to the 4th Position, also learns the advantage of using 1/2 Position. The concept of left hand "bounce" is introduced to facilitate shifting and agility. Adding double-stops to familiar songs helps the left hand shape. The octave interval is presented both in solfege pitch singing and note reading and writing. This book contains 13 duets, 7 piano accompaniments, music by J.S.Bach, Lehár, Beethoven, Joplin, Grieg, Mendelssohn, Mozart, Telemann, Schumann, Rameau, and assorted reels and fiddle tunes.
"Young children love the violin! It is small and huggable – and it makes sounds! How to nurture this initial enthusiasm for the instrument and to transform it into a deeper love of music is the object of my books."
"Don't be misled by the seeming simplicity of the material! The books are written from a child's point of view while incorporating the most exacting standards of modern violin technique. But there are other important features of the books that contribute to their uniqueness:
*The young student is encouraged to participate actively in his own learning by developing his own imagination.
*There is discovery and improvisation. No imitation or copying from CDs.
*Training the child's own pitch awareness from the start assures early in-tune playing.
*Note reading and harmonic awareness from the beginning cultivate musical literacy for a lifetime.
*A wonderful rhythmic foundation is established through body movement"
- Shirley Givens
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