Bags of Folk for Violinby Mary Cohen is a wonderful introduction to the world of traditional music, ideal forviolinists of Grades 1-2 standard. The pieces are gently progressive and are all based around the first two finger patterns. They are ideal for consolidation work alongside any method or tutor, and are enjoyable sight-reading practice.
A fantastic collection of traditional tunes arranged by one of Britains foremost string teachers, Mary Cohen. Based mostly on indigenous British tunes, it blends together the familiar and the unfamiliar. Always nicely balanced, with the contrasting moods and tempos of dance tunes and songs, it contains lots of lively examples like The trumpet hornpipe and reflective ones such as She moved through the fair. There is helpful advice about first mastering the notes and then personalising them with slides and grace notes and the swung rhythm in hornpipes. Laid out clearly and using simple keys, this book is designed so that tunes are complete in themselves without need for harmony. Although aimed at Grades 1-2, it would also be suitable for more advanced players to revisit.
Music Teacher Magazine, October 2009
This book is a great introduction to traditional music for grade 1-2 violinists. It contains unaccompanied folk music from all over the UK and America, in a variety of major keys up to 3 sharps, and in A minor. The tunes use two finger positions for first, second and third fingers..I find fold music a very enjoyable way to practise sight-reading with my pupils and this book gives excellent introduction to new finger positions, as well as swung rhythms in melodies such as Harvest Home and opportunities to add grace notes and small glissandi.
As with Bags Of Tunes his book offers great supplementary material to a tutor book, enjoyable sight-reading material and fun pieces for concert or assembly performances.
Ensemble Magazine, September 2008
The second book has 24 tunes and sees the introduction of the slur for expressive purposes, e.g. in Early one morning, and the two up bows for clarity. Other techniques introduced are positioning the left-hand fingers ready for the first and second chords.
The feature of both books is the clean musical line. Although Mary Cohen indicates mood of the piece or song, she refrains from putting in expression marks or decorations, e.g. flower illustrations, In this way the music has more impact.
European String Teachers Association, Autumn 2008