Fifty Famous Classical Themes for Violin
Give developing violinists fifty melodies from the classical repertoire they will recognize for a lifetime. The collection brings together famous themes from symphonies, opera, ballet, marches, hymns, dances and other masterworks in clear, approachable violin arrangements.
- 50 recognizable classical melodies
- Clear, larger-size violin notation
- Bow and phrase markings throughout
- Coordinated editions for strings, woodwinds and brass
Classical Themes Students Should Know
Familiar masterpieces give developing players meaningful repertoire while reinforcing reading, rhythm, bowing, phrasing, tone and musical style.
Build Classical Repertoire
Students become familiar with melodies they will encounter throughout a lifetime of listening and music-making.
Recognizable Music
Familiar themes provide a stronger musical reward than practicing exercises alone.
Clear Violin Notation
Larger notes and uncluttered layouts make important repertoire more approachable for developing players.
Bowing and Phrasing
Bow-direction and phrase markings help students begin thinking beyond simply finding the correct notes.
Flexible Teaching Material
Use selections for private lessons, sight-reading, orchestra enrichment, recitals and music-history study.
Play With Other Instruments
Coordinated editions allow teachers to use the same classical themes with a wide variety of instrumental combinations.
See Inside the Book
These examples show the variety of music included—from lyrical melodies and opera to Mozart, Tchaikovsky and ceremonial repertoire. Click any page to enlarge it.
The violinist reads and plays the notes on the staff. The chord symbols above the music are optional information for an accompanist.
What Are the Chord Symbols Above the Music?
Some pages include chord names such as D, A7, G or Em above the violin staff. They are there only to give a teacher or accompanist optional harmony information.
50 Themes From Many Styles and Traditions
The collection ranges from Baroque and Classical favorites to opera, ballet, Romantic repertoire, marches, dances and familiar ceremonial music.
Orchestral Favorites
- Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
- Ode to Joy
- Symphony No. 1
- Symphony No. 7
- Symphony No. 9
Opera & Ballet
- Habanera
- Barcarolle
- March from The Nutcracker
- Sleeping Beauty
- Swan Lake
Dances & Classical Favorites
- Blue Danube
- German Dance
- Carnival of Venice
- Turkish March
- Minuets by Bach, Beethoven and Mozart
Lyrical & Ceremonial
- Ave Maria
- Bridal Chorus
- Finlandia
- Pomp and Circumstance
- Trumpet Voluntary
These are only a sampling of the fifty selections contained in the book.
The Same Fifty Themes for Many Instruments
Fifty Famous Classical Themes is a coordinated Music Fun Books series, not simply a single violin title. Click any instrument below to see that edition.
Build Flexible Mixed-Instrument Groups
Matching editions give teachers a practical way to use the same famous repertoire with different students. A violinist, clarinetist, trumpeter, cellist or other instrumentalist can work from the coordinated edition for that instrument.
That makes the series useful for private studios, school programs, sectionals, sight-reading, mixed ensembles and informal performances.
A Useful Repertoire Book Beyond the Weekly Lesson
Private Lessons
Add short classical works alongside a regular violin method while reinforcing tone, rhythm, bowing and phrasing.
Sight-Reading
Familiar melodies give students useful reading material without requiring lengthy concert pieces.
Recitals & Performances
Many selections make effective short recital, studio-class or school performance pieces.
Music Appreciation
Connect playing with composers, historical periods and famous works students may already recognize by ear.
Why These Fifty Themes?
Young musicians spend a great deal of time learning technique, but they should also become familiar with the music that forms part of our shared classical tradition.
I wanted students to encounter recognizable melodies by Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, Handel, Tchaikovsky, Bizet, Elgar and other major composers in versions they could actually play.
The selections are short enough to work naturally in lessons and school programs while still giving students meaningful repertoire beyond a method book.
The matching editions for other instruments also make the collection especially useful for teachers working with students in mixed groups.
Questions About Fifty Famous Classical Themes for Violin
What level of violinist is this book for?
Is this a violin method book?
What are the letters and chord names above the violin music?
Does the book include written piano accompaniment?
Can a violin student simply play the pieces alone?
Can students on different instruments use these books together?
Can these themes be used for recitals?
Is a free sample available?
Give a Violinist Fifty Classical Melodies Worth Knowing
Famous repertoire, clear notation, useful bowing and phrase markings, optional accompaniment chords and coordinated editions for many instruments.