How to Teach Yourself to Play the Violin
Violin, also known as a fiddle when played in the country or bluegrass style, is one of the most versatile of all instruments, played primarily in orchestral music, but also in rock, new age, and even jazz. The violin is a stringed instrument played by dragging a bow across the strings while fretting with the fingers. Learning to play the violin can seem daunting at first, especially with the range of styles it can encompass, but with a little patience and the right direction, you can teach yourself to play the violin in any style you like.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Get familiar with your instrument. The open strings (no fingers applied to the neck) are E, A, D, and G starting from the thinnest to the thickest. Each fret represents a half step, so placing a finger on the first fret of the first string results in an F (there is no sharp---denoted as #---between E and F or B and C). The second fret on the first string is F#, then G, then G#, continuing all the way up to the octave E at the twelfth fret. This same pattern repeats on each string. Because there are no fret markers on a violin like there are on a guitar, you will have to get used to placing your fingers accurately on the violin's neck. Fret placement is approximately the width of your fingers placed naturally on the neck of the instrument. Try using thin string to mark your frets until you get used to where they are.
-
2
Learn to read notes on the music staff as they apply to your violin (see Resources). This will allow you to play sheet music later on. Get familiar with the notes on the musical staff and where those notes are on your violin. Careful study of a violin note chart and comparing the violin positions will solidify your skills at note reading.
-
-
3
Learn scales in the first position and play them regularly. This will familiarize you with the neck of the violin as well as help strengthen your fingers. You can find major and minor scales in a beginning violin book at any local music store or download one online free of charge (see Resources). You'll find the patterns of the major and minor scales remain the same but change in name depending upon which note you start on.
-
4
Concentrate on the way you draw the bow across the strings of your violin. Many beginning violin players apply too much pressure, and the bow bounces or makes a hissing sound. It takes a little practice to get it right. As you play your scales, make sure to alternate the direction you move your bow. Try changing direction for each note in the scale until you can play the scales notes smoothly. Start slow and gradually increase your speed.
-
5
Move on to the same scales in the second position when you can play them comfortably in the first. These notes will take you farther up the violin neck, where you will be playing the same notes in a higher register.
-
6
Continue practicing your scales in the second position and finally the third. Augment your scale studies with violin sheet music (see Resources).
-
1
