Tune/Song suggestions

Subject: Tune/Song suggestions
From: GUEST,DD
Date: 07 Jan 05 - 10:25 PM

I am fairly new violin player, after finishing my first technique book my teacher has suggested that I find some tune or songs that I would like to work on, and I am looking. As I am still fairly new I am not up to really fast notey type tunes. Does anyone have some suggestions for some good beginer stuff?

Subject: RE: Tune/Song suggestions
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 08 Jan 05 - 12:47 AM

Fiddlers Fakebook. I think it's still in print.

Subject: RE: Tune/Song suggestions
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 08 Jan 05 - 12:57 PM

A lot depends on what "style" of playing you want to get into. If you are into "British" stuff you might want to start with something such as Dave Mallinson's "Easy Peasy Tunes", which is essentially a selection of trad tunes, often common session fodder, is a straight forward arrangement. There is also a CD which can be bought separately and contains all the tunes played a speed suitable for a novice to join in. It is NOT a "Kiddie Tunes" book although some such are also included.
On the other hand if you want to get into something such as American Old-time Fiddling, you need to find something which takes you through some of the bowing and fingering techniques specific to that style. I started old-time fiddle a year and a bit back. For descriptions of basic techniques, I found "Beginning Old-time Fiddle" by Alan Kaufman a good starter. Mel Bay publications also do one called "You can teach yourself fiddling" which has a bigger selection of tunes.
The "Fakebooks" contain a lot of tunes arranged to fit specific styles of play, so are useful collections to have whether you are a starter or experienced player.
Quack!
Geoff the Duck.

Subject: RE: Tune/Song suggestions
From: Sorcha
Date: 08 Jan 05 - 01:03 PM

Where was that session book that showed you the music, and let you play along at diff. tempos? I've lost it.....

Subject: RE: Tune/Song suggestions
From: Cluin
Date: 08 Jan 05 - 01:18 PM

Use Google and look for midi files of fiddle tunes on the Web. Listen and find some you like. There is software out there (like Noteworthy Composer) that will convert them to sheet music for you that you can print up and take to your teacher to help you with. You can also use software to slow the tunes down so you can play along with them to help learn them. It also helps with your basic timing. It's only a step along the way though. Best to play with other musicians to really learn.

Subject: RE: Tune/Song suggestions
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Jan 05 - 01:22 PM

You might find the BBC's Virtual Session useful. You can listen to the tunes, play along and print the music.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/r2music/folk/sessions/swf/folkmenu.html

Subject: RE: Tune/Song suggestions
From: Sorcha
Date: 08 Jan 05 - 01:32 PM

That's the one I meant, Guest! Thanks!

Subject: RE: Tune/Song suggestions
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Jan 05 - 11:33 PM

Thanks...Like the link. Thanks ever so much

Subject: RE: Tune/Song suggestions
From: Pauline L
Date: 13 Jan 05 - 11:18 PM

The Fiddler's Fakebook is a great collection of many kinds of tunes, including Irish, Scottish, New England, old time, bluegrass, and French Canadian. It's got waltzes, jigs, polkas, marches, reels, and more. I use it with a lot of my beginning students, and I still play a lot of tunes from it myself, as I have for years.

The Internet is also a great source. There are many sites with midis, MP3s, and sheet music available for free. I spend lots of time looking for and finding wonderful tunes there.

I suggest that you tell your teacher that you'd like to learn new tunes by ear and by sight reading. This will give you a lot of options.

Most important of all, have fun!

Subject: RE: Tune/Song suggestions
From:
Date: 15 Jan 05 - 02:47 AM

For free, you can get a number of tune books at:

Ceolas Tunebooks

If you know a tune name, one of these sites might help:

John Chamber's ABC Tune Finder
The Session Tunes

Both places have search engines to locate the tune, and they can supply the tune in graphic or ABC or PDF formats.

Enjoy