Private studio teachers, school string programs and Suzuki teachers preparing for recitals will welcome these tasteful piano accompaniments for the violin, viola and cello editions of Volume 2 of Brian Wicklund's American Fiddle Method. Acknowledged as the most widely used fiddle method in the country, Wicklund became aware of the increasing demand for a parallel piano accompaniment series and engaged his friend Bob Walser to take on the task of writing it. Collaborating closely with Wicklund, Walser was encouraged to adhere to the chord progressions suggested in the original books, but given leeway to add interesting variations in rhythm and harmony. the result is a book of arrangements that welcomes pianists to the jamming circle. Piano playing teachers, parents and siblings can now join in the fun, and fiddle tunes can be featured in concerts and recitals with the support of an accompanist. In addition, principals of accompaniment learned by playing these arrangements can be applied to accompanying other tunes, the voice or other instruments. the American Fiddle Method itself provides the beginner with the elements needed to become a proficient fiddler. Based on many years of teaching experience, the author introduces concepts and techniques that yield solid results. This method encourages creativity in the student by including variations of the tunes to illustrate how they can serve as a basis for improvisation.

Private studio teachers, school string programs and Suzuki teachers preparing for recitals will welcome these tasteful piano accompaniments for the violin, viola and cello editions of Volume 1of Brian Wicklund's American Fiddle Method. Acknowledged as the most widely used fiddle method in the country, Wicklund became aware of the increasing demand for a parallel piano accompaniment series and engaged his friend Bob Walser to take on the task of writing it.Collaborating closely with Wicklund, Walser was encouraged to adhere to the chord progressions suggested in the original books, but given leeway to add interesting variations in rhythm and harmony. the result is a book of arrangements that welcomes pianists to the jamming circle. Piano playing teachers, parents and siblings can now join in the fun, and fiddle tunes can be featured in concerts and recitals with the support of an accompanist. In addition, principals of accompaniment learned by playing these arrangements can be applied to accompanying other tunes, the voice or other instruments.The American Fiddle Method itself provides the beginner with the elements needed to become a proficient fiddler. Based on many years of teaching experience, the author introduces concepts and techniques that yield solid results. This method encourages creativity in the student by including variations of the tunes to illustrate how they can serve as a basis for improvisation.

Written as a companion to the wildly popular fiddle book, this method opens up the world of fiddling to the beginning/intermediate violist. Finally fiddlers, violists and cellists can jam together! Unlike many books for violas and cellos which simply transpose the tunes, the authors went to considerable effort arranging the tunes to be both playable and true to the original melody and key. Variations to the tunes are included illustrating how they can serve as a basis for improvisation. Ensemble skills are taught with chords and lyrics, basic music theory, and demonstrations of such skills as backup and lead playing in this playfully- illustrated book. A high quality, multi-instrumental CD for listening and play-along captures the excitement of the music. Like its fiddle counterpart, this method is destined to be a classic.

The American Mandolin Method is the new standard for mandolin instruction. Master teachers and performers of the mandolin, Brian Wicklund and BenWinship have crafted Volume 2 of their series to be used both as a follow up to Volume 1 and for intermediate players who are already experienced with the mandolin. Using clear illustrations and lucid explanations, the authors review skills such as efficiently holding the mandolin, fretting, picking technique and creating good tone. Students learn techniques such as slides, hammer-ons, pull-offs, bar chords, chop chords and 7th chords while progressing step-by-step through over two dozen universally played jam tunes. The very listenable, high quality, extendedlength online audio recording available with the book allows students to play along with the tunes to simulate jamming. Also included are folded scale exercises, and common sense tips from the authors' long experience teachingand performing. Includes access to online audio

Designed as a follow-up to Volume 1, Volume 2 addresses such important skills as: 1) expanding a basic repertoire of common intermediate-level tunes, 2) learning to use low first position, 3) mastery of bowing down on the beat and corrective slurring, 4) artistic slurring, 5) understanding basic music theory, and 6) learning double-stop backup combinations. Some students who have studied violin or fiddle music before may be able to skip Volume 1 and start with Volume 2, assuming they are proficient at skills such as proper violin and bow placement and can play a small repertoire of fiddle tunes with good tone and intonation.

New cello students nearly always start in first position aided by finger tapes or guides for accurate finger placement. As they advance, they are expected to learn to shift out of first position, but the focus is on the movement of the shift rather than on note locations or pitch accuracy. In this book, author and versatile cellist Halley Feaster introduces a step-by-step approach to understanding each position, leading to thorough comprehension of the cello fingerboard and a more confident and well-rounded player. Together with its engaging video component, Cello Position Handbook shows advanced beginners and intermediate students what notes are available in each of 12 positions. Short exercises and excerpts are provided for practice in each location, ultimately enabling fluid performance without excessive shifting. On completion of this volume, students will be familiar with what notes are available in each position and be able to move comfortably between them while expanding their repertoires. Includes access to online video.

Written as a companion to the wildly popular fiddle book, this method opens up the world of fiddling to the beginning/intermediate cellist. Finally fiddlers, violists and cellists can jam together! Unlike many books for violas and cellos which simply transpose the tunes, the authors went to considerable effort arranging the tunes to be both playable and true to the original melody and key. Variations to the tunes are included illustrating how they can serve as a basis for improvisation. Ensemble skills are taught with chords and lyrics, basic music theory, and demonstrations of such skills as backup and lead playing in this playfully- illustrated book. A high quality, multi-instrumental CD for listening and play-along captures the excitement of the music. Like its fiddle counterpart, this method is destined to be a classic.