Best Violin Method Books (2026): 5 Books Compared

A student opens a new method book, and a teacher looks for a sequence that builds posture and note reading, and the best violin method books turn that lesson into steady progress. Five methods are compared by scope, resources, edition and series.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Essential Elements 1 by Gillespie	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Essential Elements 2 by Gillespie	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Essential Elements 1 by Allen	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
4	All for Strings 1 by Frost	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
5	A Tune a Day 1 by Herfurth	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Essential Elements 1 by Gillespie

Robert Gillespie·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A beginner violin method with EEi resources, covering bowing, intonation and rhythm.

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Pros

• EEi: video tutorials, digital sheet music, play-along tracks
• Sequenced lessons: posture, fingering, note reading, rhythm
• Unison ensemble exercises, violin-specific drills

Cons

• 2002 edition; a newer 2025 edition is also noted
• 48 pages only; continuing students need Book 2
• No reading age or grade level stated

2

Essential Elements 2 by Gillespie

Robert Gillespie·9.7/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

An intermediate violin method with EEi resources for students who completed Book 1.

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Pros

• EEi: play-along tracks, video tutorials, digital tools
• New bowing, dynamic phrasing, scales, rhythmic exercises
• Book 2 of 2, continuing from Book 1

Cons

• Intermediate only; new beginners should start with Book 1
• 2003 date, with no newer edition noted
• No reading age or grade level stated

3

Essential Elements 1 by Allen

Michael Allen·9.7/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A beginner violin method in the original series, covering position, fingerings and theory.

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Pros

• Position, fingerings, bowing and music theory covered
• Theory and history included alongside technique
• Suited to classroom use and self-study

Cons

• 1994 date, the oldest edition among these picks
• No EEi resources stated for this original series listing
• No reading age or grade level stated

4

All for Strings 1 by Frost

Robert S. Frost·9.6/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A beginning string method, first book of a three-volume course, starting with rote and note approaches.

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Pros

• Book 1 starting by rote and by note
• Photos, diagrams, rhythm exercises, theory games, ensembles
• Beginning through intermediate study in the full method

Cons

• Edition listed as unknown
• Later volumes needed to complete the course
• No reading age or grade level stated

5

A Tune a Day 1 by Herfurth

C. Paul Herfurth·9.6/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A beginner violin method built around daily practice, with illustrations, fingering charts and review questions.

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Pros

• Practice records, fingering charts, review questions
• Illustrations: hand positions, finger placement, bowing motions
• First-year scope: notes, bowing, posture, complex rhythms

Cons

• 2003 date, with no online resources stated
• No answer key stated for the review questions
• No reading age or grade level stated

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More picks to compare

• Essential Technique 3 by GillespieFor advancing students moving from intermediate to advanced playing.Check on Amazon
• Violin Technics 1 by SchradieckFor intermediate and advanced players building finger dexterity.Check on Amazon
• First Etude Album by WhistlerFor beginners in first position with short etudes.Check on Amazon
• Practical Violin Method 1 by HohmannFor beginning students learning instrument, posture and bowing basics.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 24 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit, contents and edition, value, and the listed skill level. None give a reading age or grade level, but each gives a beginner, beginning or intermediate level. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best violin method books

Match the level to the student

Beginner volumes suit a student at the start, while the Gillespie Book 2 is for students who have completed Book 1. The same logic applies to other instruments, as in the piano method books list.

Check the edition date

Edition dates run from 1994 to 2008, and Gillespie Book 1 notes a newer 2025 edition. The Frost listing gives its edition as unknown.

Look inside, not at the page count

Every pick lists 48 pages, but contents differ: EEi resources on the Gillespie volumes, illustrations and practice records on the Herfurth volume, and duets and ensembles on the Frost volume. A music theory workbook can sit beside a method book.

Before you buy

• Check the edition date: Gillespie Book 1 notes a newer 2025 edition.
• For a series, buy Book 1 first and confirm the series number.
• Check online resources: EEi access is stated for the Gillespie volumes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where should a beginner start?

Start with the Gillespie Book 1 or the Allen Book 1, then move to Book 2.

Which edition of Gillespie Book 1 should I buy?

The listing here is the 2002 edition, noting a newer 2025 edition.

Do these method books include online resources?

EEi access is stated for the Gillespie volumes.

Still deciding? Our top pickEssential Elements 1 by Gillespie

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Related lists

See every workbooks and homeschool list and all workbooks and homeschool lists.

More lists: piano method books, music theory workbook, guitar method book for intermediate players.