Violin Forum/Message Board

[Oleg Vostyakov]

[Mike Shuman]

[John Cadd]

On a piano the black notes are either Sharps or Flats White notes are all Naturals .

For absolute beginners use a keyboard first. Play a C major scale using only 8 white notes. Listen to that as if it is a tune. Now start a major scale on an open violin string. The notes will be different to the piano but the sound pattern is what you need .
If you can "copy" the sound of a Major scale you are learning to hear what you are playing. Get used to adjusting your fingers to make the notes . The sound is more important than worrying about measurements between fingers . As you play further up the fingerboard the gaps will get narrower .
Now try to "copy" a Major scale pattern starting somewhere up the fretboard beginning with your first finger . First half on one string and second half on the next higher string . If you remember the spacing between fingers (roughly) you can play a scale anywhere you like . That would be harder on a piano .
Later you can learn about Positions on the fingerboard to give you a simple guidance system .
Every Major scale has the same Pattern of spaces between fingers .Remember the pattern and keep listening to make the notes in tune . Soon you will not need to look at your fingers ever again. Close your eyes and feel what your fingers are doing .
Feel .Listen and don`t worry .
Open G starts the key in one sharp.
Open D starts the key in 2 sharps .
Open A starts the key in 3 sharps
Open E starts the key in 4 sharps .