Foundation Studies for the Violin, Book 1 (w/DVD)

It is wonderful to have an artist of Rachel Barton Pine's calibre provide us with a DVD of these Wolfahrt Foundation Studies. The selections from Opus 45, 54, and 74 were previously published by K.H.Aiquoni. Ms. Pine has added some dynamic levels and bowing suggestions. The DVD recording of the studies is fabulous. The early studies are taken at a nice slow tempo which an aspiring student should be able to match. Ms. Pine emphasizes the beauty of these excercises and trying to play them musically. Several of the studies have two recordings demonstrating different bowing techniques. There is an extra inserted screen which allows you to look at the left arm from a posterior-lateral angle. I think the previous reviewer very correctly stated that these studies could be used by advanced beginners or intermediate students. The excercises are all in the first position but if you are very new to the instrument or very young there are easier places to start. I hope to see more DVDs like this. The Wolfahrt studies are a time tested technique for aspiring violinists. The new edition with recorded DVD performances aimed at teaching students is a incredible idea. Rachel Barton Pine and the producers of the DVD are to be thanked for this wonderful gift. Written Christmas Day after practicing first five excercises.

I love this book. The bowing variations are all clearly spelled out in a reference guide at the beginning. The video shows RBP demonstrating each etude. She really brings out some beauty from these etudes, which transforms these from heartless fingering exercises into etudes with some musicality, giving me something more to reach toward as I work on them. The camera angles of the dvd allow me to easily see both her left hand and right hand technique. Watching an expert player is helping me learn to relax my left hand while I use my pinky. Watching the bowing technique each time before I practice is helping me know how much bow to use at any given time, and watching her crescendo / decrescendo while studying her bowing is giving me a firmer grasp of how to crescendo by using more bow for each beat.

I love this product - the book, the DVD, the MP3's that I can download from the DVD and listen to when away from my computer. Rachel Barton Pine + her publishers have included a wonderful variety of Wohlfahrt exercises, and I really don't care that it is not the Schirmer edition of Wohlfahrt's Sixty Studies as noted by an unhappy purchaser. Hearing an excellent version of each exercise is always helpful and watching RBP's technique is fabulous, especially since I live in an area where there is limited (very limited) opportunity to see someone of her skill level in person. The video quality of the DVD is very good, the camera angles allow you to see both left and right arms and hands, and the book is printed on good quality paper with good quality ink. I strongly recommend this item, it is exactly as described by Amazon and the publisher.

More detailed bowing variations and lots of explanations than the Schirmer's library edition. The etudes are also in a different order, reflecting a different idea about which skills are building and when. Plus the DVD can be very helpful. One child uses the Schirmer's (because that's what he started with), the other uses this one. I have used both, and really like this one. Rachel Barton Pine is very engaging and leads you to give a lot of thought to what you're playing and why. I also think it sets up your technique better because the bowing variations are right there in your face, so you are much more likely to nail yourself to trying them consistently and with each successive etude.

I specifically bought this to have the DVD so I could listen to what it's supposed to sound like as I go through it but it didn't have a DVD with it

This edited book produced from Carl Fisher is a good book for different bowing exercises, especially to drill students to play full bow, play at frog and tip of the bow, and various parts of the bow. It is also good to train students to play with good intonations. Please note that all exercises are in 1st position only.As a violin teacher, I have recommended it to several students for beginners and up to almost intermediate levels for good bowing training, pitch and improve sight reading too. I also used it particularly to correct students who have played with bad bowing techniques and bad bowing habits previously.

I was excited to see how Rachel Barton Pine would play the current study I was working on and I thought even though I already had the book (Wohlfhart op 45 sixty studies), the dvd and the info it contained would be worth the extra money. When I received the book and dvd however, I found that the book was not the "standard" wohlfarht sixty studies op. 45 that every violin teacher I know uses - and that I was led to believe this book was as well - this book is a blend of studies from op. 45, 54, and 75 - and really doesn't contain very many of the studies from the original op. 45 book. The description on amazon does not mention this fact and in my mind is a bait and switch. While I'm sure that the book and its exercises will help your playing and it will be interesting to see how Rachel plays the pieces, DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK THINKING THAT YOU ARE BUYING THE STANDARD BOOK OF WOHLFAHRT STUDIES!!!!

This is grass roots classic technique training starting at beginner level without the juvinial "Mickie Mouse". Would like more inspira

The older version of Wohlfahr'st etude is available to be downloaded for free in imslp. However, this version is much nicely typed out, with more bowing and dynamic instruction, as well as DVD and mp3 that show you how it should sound. All of these additions are invaluable, especially if you are doing these exercises outside regular lessons.

I like the selection of studies from opp. 45, 54 and 74. They touch on a nice variety of bowing and fingering techniques. The dynamics indications are a helpful addition to these pieces. The DVD/MP3 CD are as enjoyable as they are useful.This publication should be a must for violin students as of the second year of their studies.

Excelente servicio al cliente y el libro llegó en excelente estado y muy rápido. Nos parece muy útil que tenga DVD.

Bien satisfecho

My order came fast. So happy with my order!!!