Customer Reviews
WOW!!! The PERFECT way the learn violin! 
2008-02-28
Trust me, if you want to learn violin, get this DVD series!
To be honest, I had my doubts, because I spent time and money on useless books and DVDs (like ABC's of violin) and learned nothing. But after I researched Mrs. Seidel violin teaching methods and visited her website, videoviolinlessons.com (check it out, it's great!), I felt comfortable enough to try her DVD series. I noticed the difference right away, because I was able to e-mail Mrs. Seidel on all of my questions,..and she actually e-mailed me back with a real answer (amazing this day and age), and the DVD lessons are extremely helpful, with well organized DVD menus, crystal clear picture and sound, two different camera angles side by side (full image, and close up of the fingering hand) and the music on screen at the same time! No more, looking back and forth from fumbling with the sheet music and trying to follow the DVD, the way Mrs. Seidel professionally arranged the on screen lessons is BRILLANT! I for one am a true believer in learning violin from a DVD series, and I definitely will purchase the other DVD series.
New DVD Revision Looks and Sounds Great 2008-02-08
I received the new revision of Mrs. Siedels DVD lessons and it looks and sounds great. The new production quality is first rate. I find the new version easy to follow because the notes are on the screen and I don't have to keep looking back at the book. The bonus CD answered most of my questions about setup and tuning to get started and I emailed Mrs. Siedel with a few additional questions. Her response was timely and accurate. I would recommend this DVD to any beginner that is interested in learning the basics of the violin and to get started playing. Due to the base knowledge I gained by watching and playing with the DVD I was able to advance to more complicated scales at an accelerated rate.
A Little Deceiving 
2007-12-27
Please be aware that this is only a DVD. It does not come with a music book. Even though the Title is: Beginner Violin DVD With Music Book... The merchant claims the music is on the DVD screen, but it only teachers you to play one very basic piece.The audio on the DVD is also very low. Would not recommend.
Grandaughter and Granpa agree 2007-12-13
I recently purchased AMP's Beginner Violin Lesson Series and was so impressed with the quality of the product that I immediately ordered the Intermediate Series. Bridgette Seidel is a natural teacher. She walks the student step by step through the process of preparing their violin, and continues to utilize this same technique as she walks the student through the various music pieces. Mrs. Seidel breaks down the structure of the compositions in a way that is clear to the young and the not so young. I could go on and on but I don't want to spoil the fun and amazement you will enjoy when you discover the AMP Violin Lesson Series.
Best option short of private instructor... 2007-12-05
After years of wanting to learn how to play the violin, I finally broke down one day one purchased one on impulse. I had no idea how to play it, but I figured I'd worry about that later.
I knew I couldn't afford private lessons, so I looked at many video/online lesson systems (and tried a few to my extreme dissatisfaction) before stumbling upon Mrs. Seidel's products. I'll admit I was skeptical of these lessons as well, but I wasn't any closer to being able to take private lessons.
I knew I had chosen well quickly upon viewing the first video. She assumes nothing about prior musical knowledge and is extraordinarily thorough (this had been my biggest problem with other self-teaching systems). Even after several lessons, she's still there making sure you're not getting sloppy with your bow hold. Her tone remains calm and reassuring, which was important because there *were* times I felt flinging my bow at the terrible sounds that escaped my violin in the first several days of practice.
One small quip: The "Bonus" DVD actually contains very basic information and should be viewed prior to the first lesson.
I would recommend this to anyone unable (or unwilling to put up with) private lessons...
The Best Violin Teaching Series on the Market 2007-07-16
AMP offers a continuous educational experience with a multiple DVD series collection that supports the learning curve of a budding violinist with a Beginner Series, Intermediate Series, Master Class Series, Holiday Series, and a newly published book, Picture Yourself Playing Violin, as well as the online E-mail support with Mrs. Seidel, a professional violin teacher. The Beginner Series is designed to teach the true beginner through the Suzuki® Method how to read music, how to hold the instrument in proper playing and rest positions, develop proper bowing technique, and playing in tune while using the easy to follow fingering tapes provided when you purchase the Beginner Series. The Beginner DVD Series has 4 DVD's packed full with 9 lessons. Over 4 hours of instruction! Includes the music book, fingering charts, and tapes to place on the violin for finger positioning. Also, the whole family can learn violin for $49, very cost effective when private lessons cost $912 per year for one person. CONTENTS: Bonus Disk (How to Tune, How to Apply Fingering Tapes, How to Bow and Finger the Violin, How to read music) Disk #1 (High 2 Finger Pattern, Lesson 1: Ba Ba Black Sheep, Lesson 2: Lightly Row, Lesson 3: Song of the Wind) Disk #2 (High 2 Finger Pattern w/ 4th, Lesson 4: Go Tell Aunt Rhody, Lesson 5: Ode to Joy, Lesson 6: The Yellow Rose of Texas) Disk #3 (Low 2 Finger Pattern w/ 4th, Lesson 7: On Top of Old Smokey, Lesson 8: Minuet in C, Lesson 9: Minuet in G) Special Features: -Includes Music Book and Easy to Follow Fingering Charts -Includes 1,2,3,4 and Low 2 Finger Tapes -Interactive Menus -On Screen Musical Notation with Moving Highlighted Arrows to Follow Notes in Rhythm -Slow and Fast Performances of the Lesson Songs -Close Up Views of the Fingering Techniques -Close Up Views of the Bow Hand and Bow Usage with Note by Note Instruction per Song for Correct Bow Placement for Optimal Tone Quality
poor sound quality 
2007-06-28
I was really NOT impressed. The sound quality was very poor, not good for a music lesson dvd. It honestly sounded (and looked) like it was filmed in someone's basement.
We purchased this so that my daughter (6) and I could learn the violin together. We found it very difficult to follow the instructions for how to hold the instrument and bow. We didn't even get through the first lesson before we gave up and scheduled regular lessons with a regular teacher. You just can't beat a person in the room explaining what you're doing wrong and how to fix it. Yes, I'll spend more money in the long run, but hopefully, it will be worth it.
Finally able to learn an instrument! 2007-04-06
When I retired I tried to teach myself an instrument, by using various self help books, and videos, with no success. I came across a violin, in a Goodwill shop, and thought why not try again to learn an instrument.
It took me a long time to decide on Mrs. Seidel's videos. I was worried about the cost, at first. The price is cheaper than taking lessons in person, but more than most instructional videos. Looking at the more detailed instructions, than on simple one disk instruction videos, and the step by step break down of each lesson plan, the cost is well worth it. There are 3 instruction disks, with a bonus tuning and technique disk Being able to contact Mrs. Seidel, by e-mail, is also a plus.
Mrs. Seidel paces the lessons, breaking the lessons into parts, so that I was able to follow along. Being able to go back and listen to her play and then trying myself, over and over, helped me a lot. The bonus disk helps you to set up your violin and helps you to learn to hold your violin correctly. If you forget the correct way to hold the violin or the correct way to bow the violin, don't worry as Mrs. Seidel reminds you during each lesson.
The best part was that I was able to finally play a song, for my son, and he knew what I was playing. That made the lessons well worthwhile for me.
Excellent product 2007-04-05
I am a 49 year old beginning violinist who teaches sixth grade. I ordered Mrs. Seidel's Beginning Violin DVD after I began my violin lessons last September. I wish that I had ordered this DVD before I started as Mrs. Seidel is an excellent techniques teacher.
I am impressed with Mrs. Seidel's thoroughness. I took some piano lessons when I was young so I know my notes, but the DVD certainly would have taught me if I hadn't. She also teaches slowly enough for a beginner to follow and think at the same time.
The DVD has helped me with my bow position and especially my fingering. I appreciate Mrs. Seidel showing each note of the song separately and then playing the song at a faster tempo so that I know how it should really sound. Frequent reminders about arm and finger postion help to create correct muscle memory for me.
I use the DVD as a secondary teacher. The DVD seems to cover anything my regular teacher misses. I am extremely pleased with the product and would recommend it to any beginning violinist.
