Violin Finger Placement?

Question:I'm trying to learn to play violin, but I'm accustomed to guitar (and therefore having frets, making precise finger placement unnecessary.)

But I cannot figure out where to place my fingers (or hand for that matter) on the strings to play the correct notes.

Surely there are finger placement charts somewhere so I can learn?

(I'm looking for something free and immediate.)

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I'm trying to learn to play violin, but I'm accustomed to guitar (and therefore having frets, making precise finger placement unnecessary.)

But I cannot figure out where to place my fingers (or hand for that matter) on the strings to play the correct notes.

Surely there are finger placement charts somewhere so I can learn?

(I'm looking for something free and immediate.)

The easiest way I can explain this to you is to imagine the frets on a guitar or mandolin. If you are playing either of these, you are going to put your finger right behind the fret if at all possible, but on the violin, you are going to put your finger exactly on top where the fret would be.

the way they usually tape a violin might be confusing for you however. They usually skip the first fret altogether. This is known as a low one, or the number 1 with a arrow pointing down below it. The first tape would correspond to the second fret. The second tape would be where the third fret would be, but the third fret would be where the fifth fret would be. The Fourth fret would be placed where the seventh fret would be.

The four strings as you probably already know, are from lowest to highest

G / D / A / E

(Get Down and Exercise)

or from top down?

E / A / D/ G

(Eat at Doc's Grill)

The way I usually place the tapes is to hold a steel bar (or a pair of scissors) over the string and move it back and forth until the note registers perfectly on a tuner. Then I mark below with a pencil and slide the tape across between the bridge and the fingerboard. Then carefully slide the tape up to where you put the pencil mark and check it against the tuner again. If it hits dead center, press tape down and make sure that the ends of the tape wrap over each other so that tape sticks to tape. For some reason it holds longer that way.

I usually use 1/8" auto detailing tape and I usually pick it up from Auto Zone. I can usually get it about a dollar cheaper than most other auto parts stores and it is a whole lot less expensive than the tape they sell specifically for this purpose and you get a lot more tape.

One you get the first tape on

(Notes for first tape should be A / E / B / F#)

Place the second tape

( B / F# / C# / G# )

Place the third tape

( C / G / D / A )

And finally the fourth tape

( D / A / E / B )

This only covers the notes in first position of course. But it will get you started

G string
Open - G
Low one or one down - G# / Ab
One - A
Low two or two down - A# / Bb
Two - B
Three - C
High Three or three up - C# / Db
Four - D

D string
Open - D
Low one or one down - D# / Eb
One - E
Low two or two down - F natural
Two - F# / Gb
Three - G
High Three or three up - G# / Ab
Four - A

A string
Open - A
Low one or one down - A# / Bb
One - B
Low two or two down - C Natural
Two - C# / Db
Three - D
High Three or three up - D# / Eb
Four - E

E string
Open - E
Low one or one down - F Natural
One - F# / Gb
Low two or two down - G
Two - G# / Ab
Three - A
High Three or three up - A# / Bb
Four - B

If you just play on the tapes (or pencil marks if you decide not to use tapes)

G string
G - A - B - C - D

D string
D - E - F# - G - A

A String
A - B - C# - D - E

E String
E - F# - G# - A - B

Basically you have a whole step between all of the tapes except the second and third tape. I stuck a few links below to help you see it in another way. Hope this helps.

First finger goes about half an inch from peg box
second finger goes about an inch from 1st
third about half an inch from 2nd
fourth about an inch from 3rd
Its kind of easy to remember
the corners wide middles short

i used to play violin, but its something that you rly hav to be shown i think. all the fingering charts online sucked.

Call your local music store....they have little stickers that you put on the violin to show you where the notes are.....also go on google and type in this : finger placement for notes on the violin.....good luck !!!!!!!!!!!

Violin Fingerboard Chart
http://beststudentviolins.com/fingerboar...

i used to use fingering tape.. as for where the tape goes.. if you cant figure it out, you should maybe go to a shop and get them to do it for you. they might do it for free =). (they better do it for free... i would if i could).

Good luck, i tried playing guitar once, it was too weird, so i decided not to.. im sure its just as odd going from guitar to violin, good luck!. by the way, Google and youtube help alot when learning how to use, play, and even practice an instrument. =)

DO NOT USE TAPE ON YOUR FINGERBOARD.

You have to learn where to put your fingers by using your ears. You really should have a teacher. The violin is not something you can teach yourself.

http://www.violinonline.com/fingerboard_...

Watch the videos on this website :

http://violinmasterclass.com/mc_menu.php