Book, meet this string student/teacher. String student/teacher, meet this book. 

And welcome to one of the most exciting developments in string education since the tape recorder. 

Since long before the National Standards in music education were introduced, there has been a great need

for an elementary-level method for strings focusing on improvisation and America's great art music, jazz. 

Jazz Fiddle Wizard Junior, Jazz Viola Wizard Junior, and Jazz Cello Wizard Junior succeed in filling this gap, informing the string teacher while bringing students along, using familiar basic musical rules and principles. String players need to feel like musicians within many styles of music, without leaving the classical style behind. This is not a difficult task, especially if addressed early, with the help of this book and other new resources.

Encouraging individual creativity and competence in various musical spheres will ensure a higher rate of string players staying with the instrument. As players mature, their wider abilities will allow them to follow their own musical preferences and continue playing, whether as professionals, semi-pros, or for personal enjoyment. 

Consequently, there will be more general interest in strings, and that seems like a good thing from here.

Martin Norgaard is in the vanguard of an upsurge and renewal of interest in strings, in a country that has made a habit of upsurge and renewal. 

This book and its advanced companion volume, Jazz Fiddle Wizard, are two key pieces in a new comprehensive curriculum that will bring string players into the larger musical world of the 21st century.

I know that both students and teachers will enjoy working with this method, and best of all, music will be made!

Darol Anger

January 2002

Lesson 1: Improvising with Rhythms

Lesson 2: Improvising with Rhythm and Pitch

Advanced: Adding the Blues Note and Effects

Wizard Blues:

Lesson 3: Using the Entire Scale 

Advanced: Adding Triplets and Sixteenths

Sweet Rose

Lesson 4: Improvising with One Note Changing

Advanced: Using the Full Register

Canta Island: