The violin is a string instrument known for its rich, expressive sound. It has four strings, tuned in perfect fifths (G, D, A, E), and is played with a bow or by plucking the strings.
Before using the free violin fingering chart above and playing your first pieces, it's important to understand the violin hand position. See how to properly hold the violin and position your fingers below.
Let’s begin with the left hand, which is responsible for pressing the strings on the fingerboard to produce different notes. Your thumb should be placed along the neck of the violin, with the pad of your thumb gently supporting it. Make sure your wrist is relaxed and straight. Your fingers should be slightly curved, with the index finger placed near the nut of the violin (just below the pegbox), ready to press down on the strings. The other fingers should hover over the fingerboard, ready to play on the correct spots as shown in the fingering chart.
Your right hand holds the bow. Grip the bow with a relaxed hand, placing your thumb on the inner part of the frog (the part closest to your hand) and curving your fingers gently around the bow stick. Your index finger should help guide the pressure, while your pinkie rests lightly on top of the bow to maintain control.
Once you understand where your hands should be positioned, you can use the free violin fingering chart above to practice the notes and begin playing your first pieces! Simply click on any note to see the finger placement on the violin fingerboard. Don't forget, you can also download and print the violin fingering chart for free!
Image 1: Left-hand position
Image 2: Right-hand position
On the violin, "positions" refer to the placement of the left hand along the fingerboard, which determines the range of notes you can play. The different positions are determined by the position of the first finger on the fingerboard. The most commonly used position is the first position, where the index finger is closest to the nut of the violin. As you move your hand further up the fingerboard, you enter higher positions—second, third, and so on—each allowing you to play higher notes with more ease.
There are typically up to seven positions, though advanced players may use even higher ones. Shifting to different positions helps violinists access a wider range of notes without changing strings and allows for smoother transitions between notes, particularly in more advanced pieces. Beginners start with first position and gradually learn to shift as they advance in skill. The interactive fingering chart above can help you visualize finger placement in different positions.
Your hands are in position, and you're now ready to play your first notes! The interactive fingering chart above will guide you, but first, it’s important to know where to begin.
The easiest notes to start with on the violin are on the D string: D, E, F#, and G. These notes are simple because they use basic finger placements—no finger stretches are required. Once you can play the open D string, you’ll gradually add fingers, placing your first finger for E, second finger for F#, and so on. Use the violin fingering chart to explore other strings and notes as you progress.
Keep in mind that there are different finger placements for certain notes, depending on the musical context. We’ve included some of the most common examples in the interactive violin fingering chart above.
We offer a wide range of violin sheet music for all levels, including beginners. Our professional musicians have recorded play-along tracks and created high-quality sheet music for you to enjoy! As a beginner violinist, you'll also find a helpful visual violin-simply select any note, and the interactive violin will show you where to place your fingers on the fingerboard!
