The Complete Irish Fiddle Player (Mel Bay's)

I purchased this book because I am a twenty-something American woman of Scottish/Bohemian decent who has never really played an instrument (started violin this year) but I wish I could play fiddle like an Irish fiddle player that has been playing all my life. Well, that’s not the case. But this book will help fill in the gaps as well as they can be filled. I am not very far into the book but I can see it will be a great help! And I have decided to learn and develop my own skills in my own unique way. Which is what any Irish player would do anyway. Be yourself. But if you like Irish music, buy this book too.Just a note: before starting this book learn the basics of holding the fiddle and bow and making pretty notes with them. Then learn the very basics of reading music, like which bubble is which note on the fingerboard.This book walks you through all the techniques you need for Irish playing. I have only taken 4 lessons with an instructor and that was more than enough to get something out of this book, although my instructor told me I was learning fast.And if you are already an expert player in another genre this book is good for you too, it gives you 80 new tunes to learn!

The tunes are classified by the types of the corresponding dances (jig, hornpipe, reel, polka, mazurka, etc.) and their bowing patterns, which determine accents and timing. If you've simply been playing by ear and bowing without any definite standard pattern, it's likely you have a big hole in your understanding, and your playing isn't what it should be. With this book you have a chance at some enlightenment: an awareness that Irish fiddle tunes basically have to fit together with dances.He gives you the sheet music but explains that the music as played (especially regarding timing) doesn't conform exactly to the sheet. You begin to recognize that the notation is only an approximation to the sounds to be played.I have the book but not the CD, yet I am able to make progress. If you don't have the CD, you can listen to people playing the tunes on youtube.Yes, you probably ought to have some basic violin skills and general music knowledge before trying this book.The author has gone to some trouble to write down what he would say to you if he were sitting next to you. If you can honestly follow his words and be your own critic, you ought to get a lot out of it.It's much more than a book of sheet music.

This is simply the best book purchase I have ever made.I learned the violin at 7 and stopped when I was 14. Now at 28 I decided to pick it up again. My friend told me that Irish fiddling is great for solos, and I have to agree. Irish fiddle tunes provide its own rythm so that solo violin does not sound bland. One of the frustrating thing about classical violin is that there are so few pieces written for solo violin, and they tend to be very difficult.This is a superb instructional book (and make sure you buy the version with the CD). In three weeks I am learning my sixth song and with each song I learn new techniques and idoims. The book starts with simple tunes and becomes increasingly complex and challenging. But even the simple songs are very tuneful and "Irish." The book is much more than a collection of scores but a self-teaching guide to understanding and playing Irish fiddle. Being Asian, I really enjoy all the tales and additional info about Irish music that help me understand where this music comes from. Lacking any talent in violin playing, when I ordered the book I thought it might take a year or so for me to learn something, but now it looks like in three months I can start entertaining my friends with a few tunes.If I HAD THIS BOOK AS A TEENAGER, I PORBABLY WOULD NOT HAVE STOPPED PLAYING THE VIOLIN BACK THEN.

This book is awesome. I've been playing American style fiddle by ear but have been interested in Irish fiddle. Peter Cooper introduces new concepts as you go through the book. There are some very good diagrams about bowing patterns here. Cooper really put a lot of thought into how to best introduce people to the Irish style. I've even noticed an improvement in my American old-time fiddle playing just because I'm being mindful about bowing patterns.I was worried that I might have a difficult time with this book, having only played fiddle by ear. The notation though is easy to follow and the music you download from The Mel Bay website can correct you if you end up reading it wrong or have difficulty with the specific sound you should be after. This is a very dense book but it doesn't feel like it. This will keep me busy for a long time.

Do not hesitate to buy this book if you’re learning Irish Trad fiddle!Add it to your Matt Cranitch book and you’ll have enough info to keep you studying for a loooong time. Two great titles to have in your library.As to the CDs... there is a code on the title page to access Mel Bay’s website to download the CD files. The tracks are there, and they are great.Why only five stars? It wasn’t edited by Micheal Coleman, rest his soul.

good but was hoping for something a bit less basic - was hoping for a few fiddle pieces that would go on for a few minutes for my son but maybe that isn't so much irish fiddle as some american variation that I was looking for. Otherwise it provides great instructions about how to play irish fiddle with explanations of the stylistic differences and examples of multiple famous fiddlers. If anyone knows any longer pieces of sheet music or books that are printed that way and have that thistle and shamrock sound, I would love suggestions

Starts very basic but shows you the tricks of rolls and cuts etc through popular tunes. You do need to be able to read music.

It must be possible to buy the book and CD together - but it's hard to find out how to do it and I ended up buying both separately. The book is excellent and well layed out taking you through different techniques in a logical form. The hard bit for me will be developing the skills but having good fun trying!

Useful book, well- thought-out with good advice on bowing & ornaments but the accompanying CD is dull and uninspiring.

Superb learning tool

Excellent!