Shar Music Adventures in Violinland, Book 1F: ''To the Top of the Hill'' - Givens - Violin - Book

Author: Shirley Givens
Format: Book
Instrumentation: Violin

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 colouring! Ms. Givens uses a "Movable Do" system to teach pitch relationships and good intonation. Recommended for very young children.

Book 1F, To the Top of the Hill, is the final installment in the 1st year segment of Adventures in Violinland. By learning the 6th scale tone (LA) and the Leading Tone (TI), the young violinist reaches the High Tonic (DO') and completes his/her stepwise ascent. He/she learns one-octave scales in G, D and A Major, as well as many new one-octave songs and duets. There is more left hand technique, violin rhythm work and pencil play, and finally a checkup game reviewing violin technique from all six red (1st year) books.

"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