Violin Mix is an original series of new arrangements for violin. Book 2 offers attractive repertoire at Grades 1 to 2 in a wide variety of styles. Well-known music includes ‘La donna è mobile’ from Rigoletto and ‘The Hippopotamus’ by Flanders and Swann. There are also lots of new tunes to be explored, such as ‘Pierrot and Pierrette’ by Amy Beach and the traditional Ghanaian song ‘Senwa dedende’.

The series has been compiled by string specialists Kathy and David Blackwell and covers the musical and technical elements of the early grades in three progressive volumes. Many of the arrangements are featured on the ABRSM Violin syllabus from 2024 and, in addition, all are ideal choices for Performance Grade exams. There are piano accompaniments for every piece, and violin accompaniments and guitar chords for many pieces, providing useful flexibility for students and teachers.

Key features:
New arrangements of repertoire spanning many cultures and styles, in three progressive volumes
Accompaniments for piano, violin and guitar
A rich source of repertoire for a concert or exam
Many of the pieces are featured on the ABRSM Violin syllabus from 2024
An interesting footnote and fun fact for every piece


Kathy and David Blackwell both studied music at the University of Edinburgh. Kathy continued with studies at the University of Oxford before following a career in string teaching and writing educational music. David has worked in music publishing and has composed and arranged a wide range of music from choral and organ compositions to educational music for strings, piano and a variety of other instruments. Together they have written the award-winning String Time series published by Oxford University Press. They have twice won the UK’s Music Industries Association award for Best Education Publication and in 2017 they received an ESTA UK award in recognition of exceptional services to string teaching.