Mike Marshall's Sonata and Partitas for Unaccompanied Violin

[Kevin Stueve]

So just bought this from Elderly. Maybe I was overconfident. I've been playing almost 2 years and can pickup a fiddle tune in a couple of weeks. I've worked Cello Suite 1 prelude to the point that sometimes it is musical. But ...

Opened the book page 1 Sonata 1 Gm Fuga Allegro. 2 days and I can sorta string together the first 2 measures. at this pace I anticipate about a 6 months per song.

[Jim Bevan]

I wish there was a downloadable notation-only version just so I could see what fingering he uses. I've learned a few, and I know how I'd finger 'em on a violin, but I've tried to "mandolize" (folkify) 'em, and I'm curious how far he went (if at all) with that concept.

[Kevin Stueve]

so he gives you the tab but no fingering hints beyond that. Leaving me to wonder am I the only person who fingers a 1st fret 5th fret double stop with index and pinky

[Jim Bevan]

No fingering at all? To me, that's the most important part of a mandolin transcription of a violin piece -- otherwise (unless you need the tab), why not just buy the normal violin version?

And no, Kevin, you wouldn't be the only person to use that fingering -- I'd certainly do it, especially if it made what came before or what followed easier.

[Manfred Hacker]

I have already pointed out several times here that this book is a disappointment, especially because it is called a "method".
A "method" without a work of explanation, or fingering, is not a method.

[mandopops]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who was disappointed with the book. First, I don't like that a number of the pieces are only segments of the whole composition. I would have liked to work on a selection & walked away with a complete piece.
Secondly, no fingerings, suggestions, or instructions at all I agree with, Manfred, is not a method. It does have tab, but I read standard notation, so I don't refer to the tab much.
I would have preferred fewer compositions, but all complete. Then, before each piece, some explanation of the various pieces. Such as, what is a Sarabanda, Corrente, Bouree etc... What tempo are they to be played.
Fingerings, yes, but pick strokes also. Before each piece, isolate a couple of possible troublesome passages and provide suggestions and exercises in preparation.

Joe B

[Kevin Stueve]

Guess I should have looked here for a review before buying. I also read standard notation so tab doesn't help much. I really wanted fingerings.