Musicol® Christmas

The Musicol® Christmas Violin is part of the attractive and intuitive Musicol® String Series set of beginner books ideally suited for 6-11 year olds, but can be used with younger children. It is designed to be used by almost the complete beginner as well as those who have been playing for longer.

The series includes Christmas themed books for viola, cello, and double bass and is the brain child of musician and early-years music education specialist, Rachel Thomas (Med), who has over 30 years experience of instrument and classroom teaching.

The book contains 10 Christmas carols in full Musicol® colour as well as in traditional monochrome. Each carol has a simple harmony version, using open strings and first fingers, as well as the full melody version(either in the key of D or G). Teaching points are clearly highlighted for each part.

Each part is also presented in colour stave-less format enabling complete beginners to perform successfully and enjoy the fun of music making at Christmas time.

Practice (violin only) and backing tracks in 2 tempos for each piece are embedded at the top of each piece and accessed by pressing the play buttons. They can also be downloaded through a QR code for other devices.

In a group setting all the Musicol® Christmas strings books are designed for students to play together, or orchestrally. An orchestral score book and piano accompaniment book are also available.

Each carol has 2 parts.

Open string / first finger harmony part

Main melody part in a simple key.

↑ With Teaching Points ↑

Ideal for individuals, groups or ensembles.

The books for violin, viola, cello and double bass have been produced so that as far as possible the instruments can play together.

However, some of the carols have been produced in different keys to ensure that the technique needed is still within the range of beginner to about Grade 1 - 2 standard and maintain the intrinsic melody line.

Below is a table, listing the keys that maintain the intrinsic melody line. The viola, cello and double bass books also contain versions of the carols in the same keys as the violin at the end of their books so that they can be played orchestrally with the violin. The melody is voiced, but adapted to stay within the standard range.