This book offers a comprehensive workshop in blues violin and specifically addresses improvisation techniques through exercises and ear training studies that relate to the various licks and scales. Original tunes by the author address various technical challenges, and old blues standards are included to build an authentic blues repertoire. The book next touches on the influence of the blues on swing, bluegrass, Cajun and Gypsy styles while teaching improvisational techniques in each. We next pay tribute to the great Blues violinists of the past and present with bios and some photos. Finally, ways to develop and vary breaks are explored. The text touches on many aspects of violin techniques as it relates to the blues and has an easygoing and at times, humorous appeal. The book begins at a moderate beginning level but quickly moves to intermediate material; toward the end, we get into fairly advanced territory. Both violinists who have been playing a couple of years and serious classical players can benefit from Getting Into Blues Violin. Includes access to online audio.                          

Minor Pentatonic Scale

-- Patterns, Ear and Rhythmic training, Sliding the Fingers

Blues Scale, Licks, Beginning Improvisation and Beyond

Tunes -- Originals and

Traveling Railroad Man

Dickson County Blues

Corinna, Corinna

Adam and Eve

The Mixolydian Scale (Mode)

Cajun Style - Parlez Nous a Boire, Bosco Stomp

Swing Style - Licks, Bowing, Syncopation, Blues Progression, Circle of Fifths and Darktown Strutter’s Ball

Discussions - Vibrato and “Less is More”

For Classical Converts

Bluegrass Style -- Licks, drones, excerpts from standard tunes

Mixing Minor and Major Keys -- Tunes - Drunken Sailor, Gypsy Style

Use of Second Position -- 3-Note patterns and repeated licks

Use of Common Tones

Double Stops and Yodeling Licks

Master Blues Scale, Chromatics, Neighboring Tones

Original Tune - “Chro-Magnon Man”

Advanced Rhythmic Exercise

Discussion --- Microtones - Playing in the “Twilight Zone”

A Tribute to the Masters - with photos

Making Music - Building a break with form and structure

Trouble in Mind – a classic harmonica Break

Blues for the Road - The Classics –

St James Infirmary, St Louis Blues

The Blues - Final thoughts and acknowledgements