A Beginner's Guide to Violin Finger Positions

Learn proper violin finger positions, also known as violin finger placement, with this instructional video from expert teacher, Naomi S. If you're a beginner, this video will help you master some of the basics of violin fingering!
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This video is a beginner's guide on proper violin fingering and placement. There are several positions or areas of finger placement on the violin. But as a beginner the first one you will need to learn is called first position.
First position includes the first or lowest five notes that you can play on each violin string. Since violins don't have frets or marks that show you where to put your fingers the way guitars do, one of the most challenging aspects of learning the instrument is finger placement on the violin.
If you don't have your finger in exactly the right spot, even if it's just a hair off, the note can come out sounding out of tune. The most common way to get around this issue is to place finger tape on the fingerboard that can show you where to place your fingers.
Over time and after thousands of repetitions your fingers will develop something we call muscle memory and eventually you will be able to remove the tapes and play in tune without them. Most beginners keep their tapes on anywhere from six months to a couple of years depending on the student.
To get started you will need some finger tape. You can find a roll of finger tape online or at your local violin shop, or you can use pinstripe tape for cars found in an automotive shop. You also need a chromatic tuner or a smartphone for tuning up your violin. Lastly, you'll need a pencil.
To finish this tutorial, keep learning in the video above.
Check out these related videos!
-How to Tune a Violin for beginners: • How to Tune a Violin f...
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[@Claysovaysusmotas]

You are the first person that manages to make me understand, because you explain without the preconseption that I know a single thing about music. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@zlatanmustacevic9261]

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interesting points ,if anyone else wants to learn about how to play violin try Nadazma Expert Violin Helper ( search on google ) ? Ive heard some great things about it and my friend got great results with it.

[@tradicionmichoacana5758]

Same here J. A.C.

[@silxbilx9987]

Bruhhh same... if I'm someday I start to make tutorials on here on how to play instruments I would start from scratch without leaving imaportant details..

[@kenandtrayvlogs]

I TOTALLY agree!!! 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽

[@michellepedrano5894]

The very first vid i really understands and learned violin so well.

[@miracleelena6949]

Me too

[@AlbaTrozAlbatross]

The first video i saw was a leech eating a worm

[@herbertpoland6321]

I am in my sixty and just really learning about music! So thank you for your help and the great video!!

[@TakeLessons]

Thanks for watching Herbert!

[@bhebotlayante1091]

Now that i am ret.from my job i want to learn violin so i am thankful that there is tutorial in youtube now.

[@hillithwatts7050]

All the very best

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

How do the blades fit in?

[@newtoatheism5968]

Violins are the most beautiful instrument ever

[@jayageetha9024]

Then what do you think of all other instruments. Every instrument is beautiful on their every own way

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Beautiful performances make beautiful sounds, not just instruments

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@@jayageetha9024 shush Victoria

[@sheeshmesa4271]

@@techruki5688 in my opinion the flute is the most beautiful instrument

[@iokarii]

Strings are very nice.. Agreed, very close to human sing... I play sax, flute, trumpet.. But all the time I wanted play strings.. I started violin.. This instrument is significantly difficult, even then trumpet, where right embouchure and breathing learn years.. But still bearable.. For me, cello, has more pleasant then violin.. Violin is too high.. But more practical to carry.. So I will start violin..

[@ellieparfitt752]

i played for about 5 years using finger tape for the first half or so. I then stopped and began to listen by ear with a new teacher. I’ve not played for a few years now so I’m going to put them back on for a bit while i learn again :)

[@Moebn1]

Your video is literally the first video on the entire KZbin that has actually explained every important thing we need to know on the violin in one video & in a very straight and simple way...these informations actually took me months to learn!!! Thank you!!! You’re great! 🙌🙌🙌

[@bobermoment]

fr ive been stressing so much about how i couldnt learn but this makes it so clear

[@tonyquinn4971]

I got it straight away , the best I've seen on were to actually put your fingers , and get the right notes , and what the notes should like , to bring your ear in , and get going in tune ,brill

[@youcuber9361]

my violin always goes out of tune the pegs may go low well not always go out of tune the bridge leans forward and when i correct it string so out of tune and when i tune them again then the bridge leans forward again i hv also tried to put it some extra back leaning as well but no work. anyways. Can any one help? pls☺️

[@hopesonmakokha5217]

@@youcuber9361 which violin brand do you have?

[@hopesonmakokha5217]

I'm about to start learning by ear. Wish me luck. I bet you had already learned another instrument before violin?

[@youcuber9361]

@@hopesonmakokha5217 Thats the thing i dont even know. i dont even think it has a brand. i

[@youcuber9361]

@@hopesonmakokha5217 Good Luck! I have a passion for violin but thats it. i had the chance of learning it in school and i did and i was even in the band. but my teacher was one of those guys who taught but didnt even know how to play the violin. so i wasnt good. then now in the school im in now theres no music. i learnt flute before violin but not very well and i naturally play guitar. my dad plays guitar and therefore through genetic passing ons i somehow just play the guitar. Listen to stuff and make them come to musoic on the guitar. is that also what u mean by learning by ear. thanks. lol. i wrote this much

[@isaacbilodeau2879]

I could not have found this video at a better time, I just found a second hand violin yesterday and after spending a few hours getting discouraged by one video after another about bow-holding techniques, I can actually use this! Thanks for breaking it down!

[@julesjustjules9857]

I have never understood music notes, I watched this and 12 mins later it ALL MAKES SENCE!! Thank you

[@ms.midorin9785]

OMG. this is really helpful. I can understand what you're saying. thank you I want to learn playing violin

[@jamarce-tan9920]

thank you for this vid! i just got my violin and had NO IDEA what those stickers are for. the app tuner was a genius idea too! you're the best!!

[@MaxMerrier]

Thank you so much for this very clear instruction! I was thinking there should be some way to understand simply the notes positioning on the violin. And you explained it clearly!!!

[@spaice995]

For many days I was searching for a video that I can understand finally I find this....... I start my violin school but was difficult before to learn alone at home

[@qxd3784]

I had my first violin lesson today, this helps, we got to bring ours home, so this is fine anyway for the instructor, we can’t tune it at all. The teacher tunned it already. Also, the tape was there before we opened the case.

[@pratim2009]

What a comprehensible explanation, in the most lucid mode possible ! God bless you !!

[@TakeLessons]

Glad the video helped, Pratim!

[@ghadamansour4956]

You're clear and that's amazing, I couldn't get the right notes until I watched your Video. thank you so much ♥

[@shazzam532]

So helpful, so well explained, as a 65 year old absolute beginner on the violin and reading music, I thank you 😍

[@selvameenadhandapani5205]

Very clear explanation. I'm trying to tune my daughter's violin, I have no knowledge in violin. Your video helped. Thanks a lot.

[@alterego924]

This was great! So simple and nicely explained. I havent played since elementary school but Im learning again. now with my daughter.

[@klalitaryaofficial5367]

its really a nice description about violin notes structure....thank u so much ...u r just superb...

[@battlehrfred]

now this is a Teacher!! finally a clear explanation,(in detail) ty 100--100

[@MyAwesome1994]

Finally I got it . Best explanation ever! Thank you so much .

[@chant2733]

Wow, the teacher is great. I love it because it's direct to the point and can be understand well.❤️

[@styler06928]

Kept as easy as possible and informative as well Well done ! Thank you !

[@madisonwatts7576]

I’ve been playing for ten years (I’m nearly 14) and I still have my tapes on and all four fine tuners.

[@SethL8]

this is one of the only videos i could find that clearly demonstrates how to play the violin. thank you

[@subramaniamarumugam2433]

Great video. You covered all the essentials necessary for a beginner. Very easy to understand. Well done. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 🌹

[@TakeLessons]

Thank you! So glad you enjoyed it!

[@inhell890]

Brilliant explanation, now I can start to tune my Violin. Thanks.

[@melfuz]

I got it right away as others have commented. Great job..very well done! Thank you!

[@benjaminmendoza9219]

Because of this video i think i gonna learn playing this instrument sooner or later. Thank you for inspiring me!

[@hermandormehl8827]

3:05 should be F# on the E string, since Every first position equals one WHOLE note from the open strin position : GDAE (open stings) change to AEBF# on the first finger position

[@abrahamokolo9888]

Made same observation.

[@rosemarieperks4468]

Yes you are correct. I thought there was a fault with my E string and nearly took it off to re string it!

[@Gozi101]

Was about to mention this

[@rbeehner2]

Clear, understandable, helpful. Thank you.

[@princeadhikary7]

For the first time I just learned so clearly. Thank you teacher.

[@albuskimlengelgesite4006]

In all of videos I watched. this one is very helpful for me. thanks!

[@adeshshinde6017]

You are the 1st person on youTube who make me understand correctly and completely what is the exact role of the finger's in violin.

[@TakeLessons]

Thank you for the kind words

[@jamesdunlop8704]

Thanks for explaining the finger positions and notes so clearly

[@rosalindalarkin5531]

Thank you for explaining it ver well. I like your tutorial ❤️

[@neusamaria2091]

Maravilhoso seu canal!!!!Amei!!!!

[@mohamadeb2272]

Thanks a ton. The explanation is so clear. Good for you.

[@user-yh2hi4nl5d]

Thank you so much! I'm struggling with finding a violin teacher and this is really helping me continue on at home 😋

[@christianmagora9715]

This is the best tutorial for beginners lole me. I hae been browsong videos nut i dind it the most useful vide i encountered. Thank you so much

[@rgdt7869]

thank you so much for explaining it very simple. THIS IS THE VIDEO THAT I’VE BEEN LOOKING FOR. God bless! ♥️😊

[@TakeLessons]

Sure thing! We're so glad it was helpful

[@cigsconalicepagani]

Thank you so much for this ive already placed tapes on my fingerboard god bless you ❤️

[@shahidbhat6448]

I haven't ever seen anything beautiful than this in my whole life ...

[@lisapaige4960]

Thank you so much your video was very helpful. 🎻

[@paganwolf5951]

Thank you so much! Excellent explanation.🍀

[@jayceebriones7691]

I have so much fun with your tutorial.

[@zivahweirdnwonderful]

Thank you so much for giving clear and concise instructions. It’s so much easier for me to understand.

[@TakeLessons]

You're very welcome, Mae Mae!

[@subramaniamarumugam2433]

Thank you. Clear and precise.

[@starcrystal2580]

this is the most comprehensible beginner's violin guide I have ever watched. thank you for this

[@dianal235]

Fascinating and clear description both audio and visually too, thanks so much!

[@TakeLessons]

So glad it helped Diana! :)

[@gauravnag8534]

this was the most helpful video on notes now i perfectly understand it...thanks for help

[@TakeLessons]

Thanks for watching Nischay! Glad it helped you learn the violin finger positions :)

[@Dumplinggsz]

I'm listening to this when i don't have a violin 😭😭😭

[@MichelleMarieMcG]

Amazon has them for decent price

[@dianas7549]

This video is very helpful, thank you so much. I come from a long line of musicians, and they can tell you how to play any instrument, but they don't know the first thing about the violin. So you can imagine I am stuck learning how to play the violin by myself. Problem is, i am used to playing an electric bass, which has frets that allow me to know what key I am in, but the violin does not. So I tried playing by ear, which is nice and all and I suppose I am not the worst at it, but its still very very hard to learn to play and to keep myself in tuned BUT THIS VIDEO helped me out so much with that THABK YOU SEVER SO MUCH!!! NOW, I can play thr violin and stay in key without having to fiddle with each note just to find the right one. XD 💖 If I met you in person, I am not one for much personal contact, I would still give you a giant hug. I know it might not seem like a big deal to others, but to me its a huge deal. :) Otay, I'm shutting up, now. XD

[@TakeLessons]

Thanks for sharing your experience with us @Sleepy O.AK.! Glad to hear the video helped. Keep up the great work! :)

[@thecarbontree5959]

thank you so much for explaining in simple way....

[@steenjimmy833]

Thanks, you are great teacher!

[@garethcampoverde8494]

Oh it’s nice to hit back on the basics. Cheers 👍

[@edwindelacruz6732]

Thanx a lot. It's very helpful for beginners like me.

[@gamingexactixs2856]

i needed this for my orchestra class, i was falling behind thx your the best!

[@macwest1001]

Very very helpful. You explain so simply yet so completely. And you have a lovely voice. Thank you for making this video.

[@TakeLessons]

Thanks for watching, Mac!

[@j.d.schultzsr.9215]

I've been fiddling by ear for 5 years, but never got dependent on stickers. Easiest way for me to learn left hand was to play mandolin (same tuning as violin, ergo, same LH positions---even double stops) for 10 years. Before I took up mando, I played guitar for 50 years (good background for chords, i.e. harmony). But of all these methods, the most important thing is to memorise the piano (or electronic) keyboard. If you do not know anything else about music, THAT is the most important thing to know before attempting ANY instrument, other than percussion. That is why a major or minor in music ALWAYS requires at least one semester of piano.

[@ryanphilip2960]

You're a really good teacher keep making more videos like this

[@tagalongwhithhazelsadventu6216]

Thank you very helpful

[@yousefyousef495]

really wow ❤ thanks so much

[@XlRuffleslX]

I played two years before this video came out, but it's been a decade since I last touched my violin. I thought my tuning pegs were broken, but I fixed them today. It's gonna be a while till I get back to where I was, but here I am relearning.

[@aldredge_saxxon]

Thank you, your video is the "best " I have found on you tube. Big help.

[@TakeLessons]

Thank you, Rick!

[@adolphamoah7359]

Beautiful and educational

[@fisayoojo9331]

Keep it up. i also need lessons on how to read musical notes and how to play chord and different keys

[@jesselcresencio3928]

This is very helpful and informative! I love this💕

[@TakeLessons]

Thanks, Luna Moon! We're glad you found it helpful :)

[@convowill5590]

thank you so much!!!!! This was an amazing lesson! i got my tape down with out a problem thank you so much!!!!!!

[@tupaccccccccccccccccc]

Such a easy to follow clear explanation thanks

[@boonsfrc]

Thank you so much for sharing this is just what I was looking for 😅

[@agusharyanto1042]

Thank you for the video it's really help me

[@yahoo4921]

THIS IS SO HELPFUL!

[@DieterLo1]

Very good explanations! Thanks!

[@CarlosRodriguez-tw3rs]

Im a guitarist ill never play a violin but i found your tutorial very interesting. Good job keep up the good work very interesting 💛💙💜💚💜💙💛💙💜💚💜💙💛

[@P.L.A.SRIYANTHA]

Thank you for your effort.hope you will release us more vedios.

[@heySam514]

Very helpful video, thank you!

[@jondoe9389]

This is actually a good video. I wish I hade something like this when I first taught myself to play fiddle.

[@genestanco6558]

first comment ever on KZbin. Awesome. Thank you for being slow, clear and simple! I am an adult beginner looking to take lessons in the near future and looking to spend some free time getting basics accomplished. Thanks.

[@TakeLessons]

Thank you for watching Gene!

[@Song-Stories-and-Stars]

Thank you. That's been a great help 🙂

[@btpuppy2]

Great, thank you so much

[@giame1329]

Useful, thank you!

[@sumitmitra7813]

First of all thanks, thanks a lot. I was watching another video which is saying something about figure position which Is totally incorrect! However your explanation is lucid and clear. I learned Indian classical music long back and figuring are exactly same as western music. This only proves the age old perception that music truly got no boundaries!

[@TakeLessons]

Awesome! Thanks for watching Sumit Mitra!

[@macutejackieann1681]

Thank you, it helps me a lot. Your tutorial is clear

[@TakeLessons]

Glad it helped! :)

[@marinastarks139]

Thank you for the hand position!

[@mohansmusic7500]

Very nice.useful.tq

[@CristianHernandez-fo3td]

Muchas gracias!

[@yesudasnathan9151]

Thank you. Very useful.

[@P.L.A.SRIYANTHA]

a good way to paste the stickers.explaning nicely.

[@rajolkumarmishra3011]

Excellent!!👌👌👌

[@patriciaterry5539]

Outstanding! Thank you!

[@malar3260]

Really helpful. Thanks

[@raymond4u100]

Thank you much for this great video

[@nophalay]

You are such a sweetheart, thank you for your teaching

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U helped me a lot thanks

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omg thank you very much!! this is really helpful...you made me happy and again thank you so much🥺💜🌈

[@metalinyourhead3604]

That was actually really helpful.

[@heleneforet4823]

Bravo et merci !!!

[@user-ic9ht9rv7k]

So far this is the best and easiest technique ever 100/100