How to play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star on the violin

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star is often one of the very first songs students learn to play on the violin. In this tutorial, you will learn how to play this tune in the key of A Major, starting on the open A string, which is how it appears in the Suzuki books. However, you can also play this in the key of D Major, starting on open D. Click here to download the sheet music.

As you follow along with this tutorial, please keep a close eye on your posture. Posture is one of the most challenging yet most important elements to master as a violin beginner.

Additionally, if you do not feel comfortable using your whole bow, feel free to use only a half or a third on each note. Maintaining a straight bow is challenging!

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star as four parts. I often say that Twinkle Twinkle is like a sandwich: we start with the “bread”, then play the two “cheese”, and then go back to the bread. In simpler terms, the first and last parts are the same, and the two middle parts are the same.

To play Twinkle, start by playing two open A strings. Then move to two open E strings. Place your 1st finger on the E string and play that twice (F#), followed by one open E. Then, place either fingers 1, 2, and 3 down on the A string, or just finger 3, and play that note (D) twice. This is followed by two 2nd fingers (C#), two 1st fingers (B), and one open A. That’s the first part, or the bread.

To play the cheese (the two middle sections), start with two open E strings, then place either fingers 1, 2, 3 and 3, or just 3, down on the A string, and play that note (D) twice. Next, play second finger (C#) twice, and first finger (B), once. That’s the cheese! Go back to the beginning of the cheese and repeat.

Then, go back to the beginning (or the bread!)

Congratulations, you’ve just played Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.