This is a colourful, good quality book suitable for the complete beginner. It contains a range of well known and original tunes in a variety of styles. The music is clearly printed with amusing cartoons throughout, making it very attractive to pupils ... Pupils will find this book fun and interesting to use and I shall definitely be using it in the future. Alison Montgomery, Ensemble (MMA) Sept 04 This volume is a far cry from the staid and sometimes boring covers of my very earliest violin books. The bright and joyful colourful cover is an immediate incentive to even the most jaded young person to open this book and discover its musical delights. Kathy and David Blackwell continue their Fiddle Time series with this collection of carefully paced tunes. Lively original pieces are mingled with well-known pieces and duets that build confidence every step of the way and are great fun to play. cont ... Mary Nemet, Stringendo (AUSTA Journal), April 03 (cont)... Titles such as 'Fast Lane', 'Lift Off', 'Katie's Waltz', 'Copy Cat' and 'Rhythm Fever' are guaranteed to fire the imagination. The first few pieces introduce the open strings, and with the teacher playing alongside in duets, there is ongoing interest in the musical content while learning basics of rhythm and notation. By the end of the forty- seven short pieces all fingers have been learned together with different rhythms, dynamics, slurs and keys. At this point the slightly more difficult top line of the duets can be learned. Young students will have no trouble in finding their own most favourite tunes to play again and again. (cont)... The bright and breezy coloured illustrations by John Eastwood are a delight and enhance a book that is already brimful of fantasy. A fact-finder page at the end reinforces and explains all of the signs and terminology used throughout the book. The volume comes with a CD that features performances with piano accompaniment for all of the pieces with added instrumental backing; extra strings for the slow gentle pieces, bass and drums for the up-beat jazz and rock numbers. There are also tuning tracks and an extra fun piece, 'Joggers Medley.' There are now five Fiddle Time (as well as Cello Time) books by the Blackwell team, all designed for maximum enjoyment while learning the serious business of music. Mary Nemet, Stringendo (AUSTA Journal), April 03
