“Imagine a violin teacher who teaches to the whole child, with humor, love, using a disciplined approach to unlock imagination, fueling curiosity, while achieving measurable results, producing beautiful musicians, whose playing stirs the soul.

That teacher is my friend and colleague for over half a century, Jan Sloman. While we mourn his loss, this exceptional man leaves us with a precious gift, one that gives us access to his thinking and his magical way of teaching, a treasure resulting from decades of experience.”

“I am pleased to endorse this book by Jan Sloman. I knew Jan for over 50 years, first as students together and then as colleagues and friends. The students we have shared as teachers in both our private studios and then through my summer music program have all been not only talented but beautifully prepared. They each had an intelligence about music and an understanding about how to grow as musicians that had been developed by the system of instruction Jan provided. He loved to teach and he did it so well.”

“My fondest memories of my 50 year friendship with Jan Sloman were when we called each other out of the blue to talk shop or ask one another for advice, usually regarding a student. We talked for hours and I trusted his wisdom, his experience and his passion for teaching. All of that and more are captured in this book. I share Jan’s philosophy of the importance of ABT (Acquisition of Big Technique) as a tool not simply to show off facility but to create the most profound and moving musical performances. Now everyone - not just his students, friends and colleagues - can enjoy the benefits of Jan’s dedication to the violin.”