How to Start to Play the Violin

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Violin Cases
Straight-backed Chair
Violin Pitch Pipes
Sheet Music For Violin
Music Stands
Violin Chin Rests
Violin Bows
Block Of Violin Rosin
Violin Shoulder Pads Or Rests
Metronome
Violin Strings
Violins

Starting Out

Step 1

Find a private area with a straight-back chair and a music stand.
Step 2

Take the violin out of its case and place the instrument base on your lap.
Step 3

Pluck each string using your right or left thumb to test its tension and hear its pitch.
Step 4

Use a pitch pipe or a piano to tune your violin to G - D - A - E. ("E" is the top space on the treble clef on your sheet music. "G" is below the second ledger line of the treble clef.)
Step 5

Wrap your left hand around the upper body where the neck and fingerboard extend from the instrument.
Step 6

Place the base of the violin and the black chin rest below your chin.
Step 7

Bring your left shoulder around so it's under the chin rest and forms a support from below.
Step 8

Keep the violin level using your left hand. Your shoulder and chin provide firm, but easy contact and support.
Step 9

Be comfortable and relaxed.
Step 10

Place your right thumb at the corner of the fingerboard nearest the bridge.
Step 11

Put the pad of your index finger on top of the "G" string.
Step 12

Apply slight pressure so that your finger lands on the neighboring "D" string. This is "plucking" and is called playing "pizzicato."
Step 13

Pluck the "G" string four times in a steady rhythm. Use no fingernails.
Step 14

Repeat on the "D", "A" and "E" strings. Count with a steady beat or use a metronome.
Step 15

Say the names of the strings each time you pluck to make a sound.
Step 16

Mix the sequence and keep the tempo at a slow rate. Focus on accuracy.
Step 17

Identify the location of the "D" and "A" quarter notes on the treble clef of your sheet music. "D" hangs just below the bottom line. "A" occupies the second space.

Using the Bow

Step 1

Tighten the bow hair so there is a 3/4-inch space between the hair and the bow at the closest point.
Step 2

Place your right thumb on the inside part of the bow where the frog creeps forward and back.
Step 3

Lay your three middle fingers on the outside of the bow. Place your pinkie on top, near the adjustment screw.
Step 4

Rest the side of your index finger (just above its second joint) on top of the bow stick.
Step 5

Place the frog end of the bow hair on top of the "G" string halfway between the end of the fingerboard and the bridge.
Step 6

Allow your hand to fall naturally from your arm at the point of your wrist.
Step 7

Apply a slight bit of pressure on the bow and draw a straight line while vibrating the string. Stop near the bow tip. This is a "down bow."
Step 8

Reverse the direction and move the bow on the string from the tip to the frog. This is an "up bow."
Step 9

Move the bow at a medium-slow and regular speed.
Step 10

Focus on producing a steady and pleasant-sounding tone.

Left-Hand Fingering

Step 1

Place your left thumb under the violin's neck about 1 1/2 inches below the nut.
Step 2

Play two pizzicato notes on the open (no fingering) "G" string.
Step 3

Keep your index finger arched and press down firmly on the "G" string with the pad of your fingertip.
Step 4

Play two pizzicato notes on this same string. This produces the note "A" - eight notes (an octave) lower than the open "A" string above.
Step 5

Play this low "A" with your index finger on the "G" string. Then play the high "A" on the open string above. Listen to how they match in pitch.
Step 6

Adjust your finger placement on the "G" string to make the "lower A" pitch match the upper.
Step 7

Put your middle finger on the "G" string one inch closer to the bridge.
Step 8

Pluck the string. This note is "B" - two whole steps above the "G" string.
Step 9

Play B - A - G - A - B - B - B and you've played your first tune, "Mary Had a Little Lamb."
Step 10

Try these steps while using the violin bow.

Comments

mcglaughlin said

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on 6/28/2009 Hopefully you've found some by now, since it's 6/28/2009, but if you google "free sheet music for violin" there's a multitude of sites that will pop up. Enjoy!

winningsmile988 said

on 2/10/2009 it's never too late to learn how to play violin. Lots of video tutorial here.

http://www.violinmasterpro.com/?hop=win88

on 12/1/2008 My 11 yr old wants very badly to learn how to play. We live in Chicago on the North Side. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I even begin to get her started on lessons that wont break the bank? I know 11 yrs is old to just be getting started---but she is very intelligent & creative...also highly motivated. Please help...my email addr is so_very_angie@yahoo.com MUCH thanks!