Leopold Auer Books

A student of the world-renowned violinist Leopold Auer, Maia Bang acted as the maestro's teaching assistant and preserved his acclaimed methods of instruction in a series of manuals. The seven-volume collection covers every aspect of teaching and learning the instrument, from the beginning to the highest level. This first volume focuses on elementary aspects: the basics of holding the violin, tuning, reading music, scales, and bowing. Clear and simple in its presentation, the book abounds in Auer's original exercises and suggestions, including helpful notes for fingering, achieving proper intonation, legato playing, and other essentials. Bang's presentation continues Auer's tradition of combining technical exercises with fun-to-play melodies, including duets for teachers and students.

Auer (1845–1930) was the teacher of many of the leading violin virtuosos of the 20th century and this exemplary collection of principles and guidelines covers holding the instrument, practicing, tone production, bowing, fingering, phrasing, and much more. Many of the chapters are illuminated by biographies of Davidov, Wieniawski, Seidel, and other famous musicians.