Introduction 1

Part I: So You Want to Play the Violin 5
Chapter 1: Introducing the Violin 7
Chapter 2: Getting Started with the Violin 15
Chapter 3: Holding Up Well 37

Part II: Getting Started: The Basics 51
Chapter 4: Taking a Bow 53
Chapter 5: Getting the Left Hand Right 69
Chapter 6: All Together Now 87

Part III: Reading Music for the Violin 105
Chapter 7: Translating Five Lines onto Four Strings 107
Chapter 8: Making Rhythm Count 125
Chapter 9: Measuring Up: A Guide to Meter 139

Part IV: Musicianship and Harmony 161
Chapter 10: Weighing In on Scales 163
Chapter 11: Cracking Key Signatures 187
Chapter 12: Making Sweet Music Together: Harmony 195

Part V: Taking It Up a Notch: Techniques and Styles 205
Chapter 13: Becoming Fluent in the Language of Bowing 207
Chapter 14: Putting Your Finger on It 239
Chapter 15: Playing with Style 283

Part VI: Getting into Gear, Staying in Gear 307
Chapter 16: Finding the Right Violin and Bow for You 309
Chapter 17: Protecting Your Assets: Violin Care and Maintenance 329

Part VII: The Part of Tens 355
Chapter 18: Ten Top Performers -- and Their Recordings 357
Chapter 19: Ten Ways to Go Beyond This Book 363
Chapter 20: Ten (Or So) Tips on Finding a Teacher 373

Appendix: Audio Tracks and Video Clips 383
Index 393