Beginning Violin Lessons

Learning the violin requires patience and dedication to mastering playing techniques.

When beginning to play the violin, there are two introductory lessons necessary to learn this stringed instrument. Students must master how to properly hold the violin. Then, the new player needs to learn the strings and their notes. With an understanding of these two lessons, a novice violinist can begin training.

Holding the Violin

Before you can play the violin, you have to hold it correctly. Place the violin underneath your chin and put the shoulder rest on your left shoulder (if you are right-handed). Make sure the violin has a snug fit and does not feel loose. Hold the neck of the violin between the thumb and index finger of your left hand. Do not allow your palm to rest against the neck of the violin. Hold the violin bow lightly with your thumb and fingers. Rest your pinkie finger on the top of the screw. The index finger needs to stay on the pad of the bow to allow you to add tension to bow strokes as necessary.

Violin Strings and Notes

Begin with the left-most string. From that string, the list of strings are G, D, A and E. The notes in first position for each string are as follows: On the G string, first finger is A, second finger is B and third finger, C. On the D string, first finger is E, second finger is F and third finger is G. On the A string, first finger is B, second finger is C and third finger is D. On the E string, first finger is F, second finger is G and third finger is A. The sharps and flats coincide with whatever major or minor scale you are playing.

References

• Folk of the Wood Violin Lessons: Holding the Violin
• Violin Scale Charts