How do you know what string to play on and what position to play in?

How do you know what string to play on?

First, you must be able to recognize the placement of the open strings on the staff. The violin has four strings, G, D, A, and E, from lowest to highest. The lowest note that you can play on the violin is open G.

All of the notes above that are played on the G string until you reach open D.

All of the notes above that are played on the D string until you reach open A.

All of the notes above that are played on the A string until you reach open E.

This is a very basic approach, but it works if you are playing entirely in first position.

How do you determine what position to play in?

Your first finger determines what position you’re in. For example, if on the A string, your first finger is on the note B, you’re in first position; if it is on the note C you’re in 2nd, D you’re in 3rd, and so on. The most common way to denote a change of position in sheet music is by simply placing a finger number over the note.

Say you’re playing a piece and come across the note D with a 1 written over it. You know that you must shift becuase that note is played with the 3rd finger in 1st position. Since your first finger is on D, you must be shifting to 3rd.

In traditional repertoire, the finger number is really the only indicator of a shift. However, I like to write a line before the finger number to indicate the shift. Some other teachers also color code the positions.

You may sometimes come across Roman Numerals in music. These can indicate positions, but are more often used to indicate string. I is E string, II is A string, III is D string, and IV is G string.