Violins only play in treble clef. This is the marking that resembles an &. However, there is a bass clef with other instruments.
Notes below or above the staff are marked with a round circle and a horizontal line going through the middle of the note, called a ledger line. If there are flats (b) or sharps (#), these may be marked to the left of a note. They may also be marked next to the treble clef. For example, if a sharp is placed on the F line in the space next to the treble clef, this means that every F played in a given musical piece will be played as an F#.
On sheet music, these notes are often marked with a 0.
When a note is displayed on beginning violin sheet music, it will be accompanied by a number, 0 to 4. The 0 is an open note, while the other numbers correspond to a particular finger that will press a string.
Start by drawing your bow across the D string without pressing it down. This will play a D note. Place your index finger on the D string and play. You are now playing the next note up on the D scale, or C#. Play the next three notes on the D scale by placing your middle, then ring, then pinky fingers on the string. After you have placed your pinky finger on the D string and you have played that note, move to the next string (the A string) to play the next note in this scale. Start by playing the A string open (no finger pressing the string). Subsequent notes will be played by pressing first your index finger, then your middle finger, and so on. While you practice pressing your fingers on the string in order, memorize the fingers that match the notes in the music. So, for example, when you see a D, you know that will be the open D string. When you see an F#, you’ll know to press your middle finger on the D string.
These positions may also be marked as “1st position” or “3rd position,” instead of using Roman numerals. Most beginner violin music is written for 1st position. [5] X Research source
The notes may not be stacked directly on top of each other. Rather, there is likely a space between each, but one is above the other note. Advanced violin music might have triple or even quadruple stops, meaning you play three or four notes together at the same time.
WB: Whole bow LH: Lower half of the bow UH: Upper half of the bow MB: Middle of the bow
Col legno: This means “with the wood. ” Use the bow’s stick, rather than the hair, to play the strings. This can be damaging to the wood of the bow, so many musicians use alternate bows for these musical segments. Sul ponticello: Position the bow at the bridge of the violin (at the body of the violin) to achieve a whispery tone. Au talon: This refers to a section of music that should be played with the bow at the nut of the violin (the area between the fingerboard and the pegbox). Martelé: This term means “hammered,” and indicates that you put pressure on the string with the bow and then draw the bow across the string with force. Release the bow pressure almost immediately from the string. [12] X Research source
If there is no obvious “pizz” or “pizzicato” designated, then assume the musical piece should be played as “arco,” or using the bow to play the notes.
One diagonal line means 1/8 note tremolo (measured). Two diagonal lines mean 1/16 note tremolo (measured). Three diagonal lines mean an unmeasured tremolo.
Con: With Poco a poco: Little by little Meno mosso: Less movement Dolce: Sweetly Allegro: Quick and lively
Dynamics usually show up as lower-case letters, such as p (piano), mf (mezzo forte), ff (fortissimo) and so on. Crescendos and diminuendos are also used, which indicate that your playing should get louder or quieter gradually. They are typically indicated by a long, thin carrot or accent mark.
The lines are designated, from the bottom to the top, as G, D, A, and E.
1st fret: 1 and 7/16 inches from the nut 2nd fret: 2 and 21/32 inches from the nut 3rd fret: 3 and ¼ inches from the nut 4th fret: 4 and ¼ inches from the nut
