Are you looking for violin books for beginners that are kid-friendly? Below, violin teacher Julie P. shares her top five books for little violinists …
There is an unbelievably large amount of music books available to kids who want to learn the violin. With so many great options to choose from, it can be daunting to choose the best ones. I’ve taken the guesswork out of it for you so you can be well on your way to helping your mini violinist start playing!
What Are The Best Violin Books for Kids?
Most students start with a method book, but activity and solo books can be great supplemental materials to aid a student’s progress. To help guide your selection process, below are my top 5 beginner violin books for kids.
- Adventures in Violinland
- Essential Elements 2000 — Violin Book 1
- Harry Potter, Solos for Violin
- Early Start on the Violin — Volume 1
- Freddie Fiddle and Betty Bow
1. Adventures in Violinland
Adventures in Violinland is a charming series that engages beginners with a unique approach that’s geared toward children. It is full of pictures (some even for coloring!), recurring characters, and familiar songs.
The series starts with book 1A and includes 24 books that follow a very systematic approach. What’s more, it includes a scorecard and points system that helps kids see their progress as they move through the books.
2. Essential Elements 2000 — Violin Book 1
Essential Elements is one of the best violin books for beginners and it’s most appropriate for students ages seven and up. I have also used it successfully with students as young as five. It is full of classical, folk, and holiday melodies that children already know.
It also includes rhythm and technique exercises, as well as theory and music history information that provides a well-rounded approach to learning the violin. Students will benefit from the MP3 play-along tracks as well.
3. Harry Potter, Solos for Violin
Students who are Harry Potter fans will love learning how to play the theme songs from the movies. This book of 10 songs includes parts for both the violin and piano accompaniment.
It also includes a CD, featuring demo tracks with orchestral accompaniments that sound just like the movie versions. This book is for kids who have been playing the violin for at least two years, although the recognizable theme songs will make it easier for beginners to play along and learn.
4. Early Start on the Violin — Volume 1
This fun method book features large print music and text that’s easy for young children to read. Additionally, it takes a unique method toward teaching notes, as it focuses on one finger at a time. This is an ideal approach for children who struggle with finger coordination.
By the end of the book, students will be able to play popular folk songs and will become more familiar with reading violin notes. This book is best suited for younger students, ages four to six.
5. Freddie Fiddle and Betty Bow
This imaginative violin activity book is one of the best violin books as a supplement to the other books kids use during their violin lessons. The book covers everything from the various different parts of the violin to right and left-hand techniques to the names of the notes on the violin.
Activities within the book include drawing and coloring, using stickers, and flashcards. This book is great for further engaging small children in learning the violin.
You might also be interested in: What Are the Different Parts of a Violin? [Infographic]
With so many beginner violin books available, there is something for every child. If you’re not sure which book to choose, you might want to consider asking a violin teacher.
Which books are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments below!
Post Author: Julie P.Julie P. teaches flute, clarinet, music theory, and saxophone lessons in Brooklyn, NY. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Ithaca College and her Masters in Music Performance from New Jersey City University. Learn more about Julie here!
Suzy S.