Lora Gallman's Top 10 Solos for Violin and Fiddle

1. Devil’s Dream

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFZElEH_yFQ

Devil’s Dream is a wonderful old fiddle tune that is easy enough for beginners. It teaches quick finger placement and the importance of keeping your fingers close to the finger board. Intermediate and advanced players can add double stops and their own ornaments. The song is easy to memorize and everyone enjoys working on their bow control to be able to play it faster and faster. 

2. Swallowtail Jig

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZxAVUsuE4Y

Easy for beginners, fun for every body! This jig is great for practicing 6/8 time. Add in slurs and grace notes to make it more challenging. 

3. Brahms Waltz (La Valse des Regrets)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psMbABU1cpU

This beautiful waltz in Suzuki Book 2 is great for developing a lyrical tone. The slower tempo offers a good opportunity for using long bows and trying out vibrato. My favorite recording is by renowned violinist Ivry Gitlis (you get bonus points for adding in those harmonics at the end).

4. Boccherini Minuet

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjtgNC7QUFA

 I never get tired of hearing or playing this delightfully lighthearted minuet, another jewel from Suzuki Book 2. (You might remember another Boccherini tune from Master and Commander. No, Russell Crowe isn't actually playing, but his left wrist is straight! Yay Russell!). You’ll experience trills, fast passages, shifting dynamics, and a plethora of different bow strokes!

5. Ashokan Farewell.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kZASM8OX7s

No violin song list would be complete without Jay Ungar’s heart-wrenching gem. Without the grace notes and ornaments, this song is great for beginners. Intermediate players can add in the slides, double stops, extra notes, or play the tune in higher octaves. For anyone, it helps with bow control and tone production. Once you add in some vibrato you won’t be able to stop playing it. 

6. Por Una Cabeza

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOjOLXkvSQA

This tango, featured in the movie "Scent of a Woman," is so much fun to play! While it may sound difficult, the main theme is not too challenging to play in first position. Once you master that you can play it in third position and let your vibrato run the show!

7. Orange Blossom Special

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeO-rVZgweE

If you play violin, at some point you have to learn this fiddle tune. Mostly because everyone will ask to hear it when they find out you play violin. After hearing dozens of people request it, I finally learned it. If you want to know a secret, I play Orange Blossom Special everyday after I play scales. After a long warm-up, t’s so fun and freeing to get it faster and faster! As with most fiddle tunes, beginners can play the main melody pretty quickly. Intermediate and advanced players can add double stops, left hand pizzicato, and some tricky (and flashy) bow strokes.

8. Czardas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTc-KoBAKts

This gypsy piece is a whirlwind with harmonics, various positions, advanced bow strokes, and fun slides. That slow intro is perfect for learning to “dig in” with your tone.

9. Bach Double Concerto

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXQ5H2VBtVg

While all of the movements are breathtaking, the second movement is beyond gorgeous. Intermediate players can manage most of the piece in the lower positions but more advanced players will enjoy changing positions to get different colors in their tone. Playing the concerto as a duet is incredibly fun but it’s also beautiful to play it by yourself as well.

10. Meditation from Thais

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X2Nvx--k1U

This is a warhorse of the violin repertoire. Everyone loves it and for good reason. It showcases everything people love about the violin. Lyrical melodies that ascend into the higher positions, flowing phrases, some "angsty" parts, followed by an incredibly calm ending so you can practice playing pianissimo. 

What are your favorite violin pieces? 

Happy Practicing!