Mark O’Connor, arguably the greatest and most famous fiddler of all time, is an American original in every way. Currently at the pinnacle of his remarkable career, Mark has created a new American School of Violin Playing that promises too quickly take its place among the great works of violin pedagogy. While utilizing classic methods of violin technique and theory, the Mark O’Connor Violin Method boldly adds uniquely American elements such as jazz, Latin, rock, folk, ragtime and improvisation. This eventual 10-book series for teachers and students assures success by taking an orderly and gradual approach using appealing and memorable tunes. Each volume seeks to instill a deep appreciation of America’s musical history with background stories of all those that contributed to this rich heritage: Immigrants, African-American slaves, soldiers all contributed mightily to what has become the new American Classical Music. But simply creating fine players is not the goal of this method. Like any great movement, the Mark O’Connor Violin Method seeks a loftier goal: That young people everywhere will fall in love with playing music.Currently, the Mark O’Connor Violin Method includes Volumes 1 and 2, including CDs with Mark playing all tunes. The CDs also contain piano accompaniment tracks. Piano accompaniment books for Volumes 1 and 2 also available now. Volumes 3-10 are in the works, as are volumes for viola, cello, double bass and string orchestra.

The O’Connor Violin Method employs classic violin technique and theory to teach students to become skilled violinists. But more than that, the O’Connor Violin Method uses familiar traditional American music to engage and motivate the young student. The lavishly illustrated books focus on well known traditional American tunes such as Oh! Susanna, Amazing Grace, Appalachia Waltz and Soldier’s Joy. The method seeks to instill a deep appreciation of America’s musical history with background stories of all those that contributed to this rich heritage: Immigrants, African-American slaves, soldiers – all of whom together created what has become the new American Classical Music. A unique feature of this method is that through the progressive development of initially simple works, O’Connor demonstrates that there is more than one way to play a piece, adding an ‘improvisational’ twist not found in other methods. The goal of the O’Connor method is that young people everywhere will fall in love with playing music. Currently volumes 1 and 2 of this 10 volume series are available. Included with each volume are CDs with Mark O’Connor playing all the tunes, plus piano accompaniment tracks.

“I am pleased to introduce the O’Connor Violin Method for string teachers and students of the violin. This 10-book series is designed to guide the student gradually through the development of pedagogical and musical techniques necessary to become a proficient, well-rounded musician through a carefully planned succession of pieces. Gradual development of left-hand technique, bowing skill and ear training as revealed through the study of beautiful music encourages a love of music-making in a slow, steady and natural way.”
– Mark O’Connor