How to Play Violin for Beginners: 10 Essential Steps

Do you dream of playing the violin but feel overwhelmed about where to start? 

Don't worry - every virtuoso (or even novice trying to impress their girlfriend) was once a beginner! 

As a violin instructor with over a decade of experience, I can tell you that learning violin is absolutely achievable with the right guidance and dedication - even if you’ve never touched the instrument before!

Today, I'll walk you through the 10 essential steps I teach to all my beginning violin students that will help you begin your violin journey with confidence. 

Whether you're 8 or 80, these fundamentals will set you up for success!

Ready?

Let’s dive right in…

Step 1: Choose the Right Violin Size and Quality

Let's be honest - trying to learn on a poor-quality instrument is like trying to drive with a flat tire. 

You won't get very far!

For beginners, I recommend:

• Rent before buying (many local music shops offer reasonable monthly rates) - but if you choose to buy, a good quality starter violin outfit (case and bow) will run $300-$800

• Get properly sized (visit a reputable violin shop for accurate measurement)

• Start with a good-quality instrument - I would recommend renting a level II (music-store lingo for a mid-range violin) as it will be a higher quality instrument. You don’t need anything too exquisite, but low quality violins will make learning the instrument a drag. 

Proper sizing is crucial for developing correct posture and technique. 

Imagine trying to drive when you were only 5 years old. You wouldn’t be able to reach the pedals!

Adult beginners will typically use a full-size (4/4) violin, while children need smaller sizes based on their arm length. 

Fiddleshop has great resources and visuals on picking the correct violin size. 

But beware!

Not everything that is shaped like a violin is actually a violin.

Like Indiana Jones pondering the Holy Grail in The Last Crusade, you must choose wisely.

Here are some warning signs of a poor-quality violin:

• Pegs that slip or stick

• Bridge (the small, carved piece of wood that holds the strings above the violin's body) that's warped or too high

• Strings that sit too high above the fingerboard

• Rough or uneven sounds while playing

• Important parts of the instrument such as pegs or tailpiece are made of something other than wood. Poor-quality violins will often have these parts of the instrument made from other materials (like plastic). 

  
  

Pro Trip: Don't forget about bow quality! 

When getting your violin, a rental outfit (violin, bow, case) should include a decent bow, but watch for these warning signs:

Physical red flags of bow quality:

• Sideways warping (note: bows should have a natural inward curve toward the hair)

• Loose or missing horsehair

• Damaged frog (the black end piece)

• Loose or wobbly tightening mechanism

  
  

If you notice scratchy sounds that persist despite good technique, or if the bow won't maintain proper tension, ask your rental shop to check or replace it. A quality student bow should serve you well through your beginning journey.

Step 2: Master the Basic Violin Posture

Good posture isn't just about looking professional - it prevents injury and helps you produce better sound. 

Luckily, the correct posture for violin can be mastered by following some of these simple steps.

Essential posture elements:

1. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart

2. Keep your back straight but relaxed

3. Position shoulders down and back

4. Hold your head level

5. Maintain relaxed knees (not locked)

   
   

You should be standing in such a way that if I were to come and try to push you over, you would have the support in your feet and legs to continue to stand firm. 

The Violin Channel has a good video on the proper posture for playing violin which you can check out.

Step 3: Master the Basic Violin Hold

Before you even touch the violin with your left hand (I know it’s tempting!), let's focus on proper support. 

In violin, support refers to holding the violin in a way that the instrument is supported by your body, but also allows for the proper movement of your hands.

The violin's stability comes primarily from your shoulder and jaw, not your hands.

Now, let’s jump into some great pointers I show to all my beginner students on how to properly support the violin.

Essential Support Setup:

• Install a properly fitted shoulder rest (have your teacher or music store clerk select the right size and show you how to properly attach it to the violin)

• Position the violin with the shoulder rest firmly against your left shoulder (even if you’re left-handed). It should be centered right on the triangle between your collarbone and trap muscle. The violin does not sit on the collarbone, but instead it sits pointing to the left of you (almost as if the violin is pointing out in a straight line from your shoulder). 

• The violin's chin rest should wedge comfortably under your jawbone, along the side of your neck. Use your right hand to reach over and feel the point of your left jaw, right below the earlobe. That is where you want the chin rest on the violin to hook into. 

• Your head weight should rest naturally down on the chin rest, without pushing down on the violin, avoiding neck tension

• The violin should remain stable even without using your left hand and should not sag downwards. In other words, you should be able to hold the violin without touching it with your hands at all!

  
  

Pro Tip: If need be, you may have to adjust the height of your shoulder rest to accommodate your neck length. 

Once you have this foundation of support in place, it’s totally normal that this position may feel a bit awkward or uncomfortable at first! 

Like Coach Ted Lasso says: 

“Taking on a challenge is a lot like riding a horse, isn't it? If you're comfortable while you're doing it, you're probably doing it wrong.”

Your neck and shoulder muscles need time to adapt to this new position. 

With practice, your muscles will develop and the position will begin to feel more natural and relaxed. 

Introducing the Left Hand

Since the violin is already secure between your shoulder and jaw, your left hand is free to simply come up and gently guide the instrument.

Think of your left hand as meeting the violin rather than holding it.  

with the base knuckle of your first finger making contact with the neck. 

This proper support system allows your left hand complete freedom for playing, shifting, and eventually, vibrato!

Key positioning points:

• Rest the violin on the meat between your trap and your left collarbone

• Keep your left elbow under the violin (though you will want to be able to gently swing it under the violin as you begin to put fingers down)

• Maintain a straight left wrist. This is crucial and should always be a checkpoint for you!

• Hold the violin parallel to the floor

• Let the base knuckle of your first finger provide gentle support

  
  

Common beginner mistakes to avoid:

• Gripping the neck too tightly

• Collapsing the left wrist; letting the violin neck sit in the palm of the hand

• Bending the left thumb and pressing into the neck (thumb should be relaxed)

• Hunching shoulders

• Tilting the violin down

• Holding it under the chin

• Trying to hold the violin up with the left hand

• Not using a shoulder rest

• Clenching the jaw

  
  

Remember: a relaxed hold not only feels better, it sounds better. When you release unnecessary tension, your tone becomes warmer, your intonation improves, and playing becomes more enjoyable.

Step 4: Develop Proper Bow Hold

Before learning how to hold the bow, it's essential to understand its parts. The bow consists of several key components including the stick, hair, frog, tip, and screw. For a detailed diagram and explanation of bow parts, check out the Fiddlershop's comprehensive guide to bow parts.

The bow is your violin's voice. A proper bow hold starts at the frog end and requires a delicate balance of flexibility and control. Think of your hand as draping naturally over the bow rather than gripping it. While it may feel awkward at first, with practice, this hold will become second nature. Do not shy away from striving to do it correctly, it will come more naturally over time since it should be a natural hand shape. 

Follow these steps for a proper bow hold:

1. Position your thumb on the outer edge of the frog. Your thumb should be bent, with its tip pressing against the outer corner where the frog meets the stick. The knuckle of your thumb should bend downward toward the hair - it may even lightly touch the bow hair. This creates a flexible hinge point at the tip of the thumb for controlling the bow.

2. Place your middle and ring fingers over the stick onto the side of the frog, with the pads of your fingers resting directly against it. Look for the mother of pearl inlay dot on the frog - your finger pads should cover this completely. The bow stick should rest in the fleshy part between your top and middle knuckles - not too deep into your palm. If the stick goes past your middle knuckle toward your palm, your hold is too deep. Be careful not to wrap your fingers too far around; your fingertips shouldn't extend past the far side of the frog.

3. Place your pinky tip on top of the stick, curved and ready to control the bow's balance

4. Rest your index finger around the stick, approximately at your first knuckle

5. Your hand and knuckles should be making a slight 45 degree angle towards the tip of the bow. Visually, you should see your knuckles angling towards the tip of the bow. 

6. Keep all fingers gently curved and flexible, never locked

   
   

Practice Setup: Begin by positioning your bow correctly:

• Hold the bow horizontally in front of your body, with the bow hair facing down, bow tip pointing to your left, frog on the right.

• Support the bow with your left hand holding the stick about 1/4 of the way from the tip

• This support from your left hand allows you to focus on developing proper right hand technique

• Create your proper bow hold with your right hand at the frog

  
  

Supported Exercises (maintain left hand support on the stick of the bow):

1. Finger Lifts

   • One at a time, lift each finger off the bow and return it to its proper position:

     • Lift and replace your index finger

     • Lift and replace your middle finger (maintaining coverage of the pearl dot)

     • Lift and replace your ring finger

     • Lift and replace your pinky

     • Finally, briefly release and replace your thumb

   • Each finger should return exactly to its correct position

   • Maintain the bow's balance with your remaining fingers during each lift

     
     

2. Wrist Waves

   • Keep your fingers in their proper positions on the bow

   • Gently flex your wrist up and down, like waving

   • Focus on keeping your fingers relaxed while moving only from the wrist

   • The motion should feel fluid and free, not stiff or forced

   • If you feel tension building, pause and reset

     
     

Unsupported Exercises (remove left hand support): 

3. Windshield Wipers

• Keep your right shoulder completely still

• Using only your forearm and wrist, sweep the bow side to side like a windshield wiper

• Your forearm rotates while your wrist remains flexible

• Key points to remember:

  • No movement should come from your shoulder

  • Maintain your proper bow hold throughout

  • Keep your fingers relaxed but in position

  • The motion should feel smooth and controlled

    
    

• Spider Crawls

  • "Walk" your fingers from frog to tip and back, maintaining these key points:

    • Keep all fingers curved and relaxed

    • Only the tip of your thumb should contact the stick/frog

    • Only your pinky tip should touch the stick

    • Maintain the proper contact point between stick and fingers (between top and middle knuckles)

  • Practice this slowly at first, ensuring proper form throughout the motion

    
    

Final Flexibility Exercise (return to left hand support):

 5. Finger Flexibility

• Return to holding the bow stick with your left hand

• Practice straightening and bending the fingers of your bow hold

• Each time you bend your fingers, ensure they return to their proper bow hold position

• Focus on maintaining proper placement between knuckles

• Keep the thumb and pinky tips in their correct positions throughout

  
  

Remember: If you feel tension building in your hand during any of these exercises, take a break and reset your hold. The goal is to develop flexibility and control, not strain.

Step 5: Learn Basic Music Theory

Think of music theory as the language of music. Just like learning any new language, starting with the basics will make everything else easier to understand.

Essential theory concepts for beginners:

- Treble clef (the violin's home base)

- Basic note values (whole, half, quarter notes)

- Time signatures (starting with 4/4)

- The four violin strings (G, D, A, E)

- Basic rhythmic patterns

Pro Tip: Use a metronome from day one! It's like having a musical compass that keeps you on track. Start slow - around 60 BPM (beats per minute) - and gradually increase speed as you improve.

Step 6: Master Open Strings

Before diving into fingering, let's focus on making those open strings sing. Open strings are your violin's foundation - they need to be rock solid. We'll start by mastering proper bow movement on each string.

Initial Bow Placement:

• Place the center of your bow hair onto the A string

• Your right arm and bow should form a right angle (square) at your elbow

• This is your "home base" position for proper bow placement

  
  

Understanding Primary Bowing Joints:

1. The Elbow

   • Think of it as the engine of your bow movement

   • For down bows (moving bow toward the floor): Your elbow opens and straightens

   • For up bows (moving bow toward the ceiling): Your elbow closes and folds

   • Keep your shoulder still and relaxed throughout - never move the bow from your shoulder

   • Think of your arm like a gate opening and closing from the hinge (elbow)

     
     

2. The Wrist

   • Maintain flexibility and relaxation in the wrist joint

   • For down bows (toward floor): Your wrist bends outward, away from your body

   • For up bows (toward ceiling): Your wrist bends upward, towards your body

   • The wrist movement should feel natural and flowing, never forced

   • Think of your wrist like a wave following the motion of your arm

     
     

Basic Bowing Exercise:

1. Start with the rhythm: "Mis-sis-sip-pi, Stop, Stop"

2. Begin with a down bow (starting at the frog and moving the bow toward floor), then alternate directions

3. Keep your bow parallel to the bridge

4. Maintain consistent contact point between bridge and fingerboard

5. Focus on coordinating elbow and wrist movements

6. Repeat this pattern on each string, adjusting your arm level accordingly:

   • E string (highest): Lower your elbow

   • A string: Maintain that right angle

   • D string: Slightly raise your elbow

   • G string (lowest): Highest elbow position

     
     

Practice sequence for open strings:

1. Start with long bows (4 counts per stroke)

2. Practice string crossings

3. Experiment with different bow speeds

4. Learn to control bow pressure

5. Work on smooth string transitions

   
   

Common open string mistakes:

• Moving from the shoulder instead of the elbow and wrist

• Pressing too hard with the bow

• Using too little rosin

• Playing too close to the bridge or fingerboard

• Inconsistent bow speed

• Not maintaining proper bow angle for each string

• Locking the shoulder while bowing

• Keeping a stiff wrist

• Over-bending the wrist

  
  

Remember: Quality tone comes from proper bow placement and the coordinated movement of your elbow and wrist. The shoulder should remain still and relaxed - if you find yourself moving it, reset your position and focus on isolating the elbow and wrist motions. Take time to master these fundamentals before moving on.

Step 7: Introduce Left Hand Fingering

Proper Hand Position:

1. Thumb Placement

   • Place thumb opposite your first or second finger

   • Keep it relaxed and gently curved

   • Avoid gripping or squeezing with the thumb

   • Think of the thumb as a support, not a clamp

     
     

2. Palm Position

   • Keep palm parallel to neck of violin

   • Maintain space between palm and neck

   • Avoid collapsing hand toward neck

   • Wrist should be straight, not bent

     
     

Moving Across Strings: The key to smooth string crossings with the left hand is proper elbow movement. Think of your elbow as a pendulum that swings beneath the violin:

1. Basic Elbow Movement

   • To reach the G string (lowest): Swing your elbow inward toward your belly button

   • To reach the E string (highest): Swing your elbow outward away from your body

   • Keep your wrist straight throughout these movements

   • Let the elbow guide your fingers to their new position

     
     

2. Benefits of Proper Elbow Movement

   • Maintains straight wrist alignment

   • Prevents awkward hand twisting

   • Allows fingers to drop straight down onto strings

   • Enables consistent finger placement across all strings

     
     

Using Finger Tapes:

• Start with tapes for first few months

• Standard placement:

  • First tape: First finger (whole step from open string)

  • Second tape: Second finger (whole step from first finger)

  • Third tape: Third finger (half step from second finger)

  • Fourth tape: Fourth finger (whole step from third finger)

• Use tapes as guides, not targets

• Practice without looking at tapes once familiar

• Plan to remove tapes gradually as ear develops

  
  

Understanding Steps and Spacing:

1. Whole Steps

   • Distance between open string and first finger

   • Distance between first and second fingers

   • Wider spacing (think "big step")

     
     

2. Half Steps

   • Distance between second and third fingers

   • Smaller spacing (think "close neighbors")

   • Essential for proper intonation

     
     

Finger Strengthening Exercises:

1. Finger Taps

   • Tap each finger on string while maintaining proper shape

   • Practice lifting fingers independently

   • Keep unused fingers curved above strings

     
     

2. Walking Fingers

   • Place fingers in sequence (1-2-3-4)

   • Remove in reverse (4-3-2-1)

   • Keep previous fingers down while adding new ones

   • Focus on maintaining curved shape

     
     

3. Finger Pattern Practice

   • Start on A string: 0-1-2-3-4 (0 is open string)

   • Keep fingers down as you add each new one

   • Listen carefully for clear pitch changes

   • Repeat pattern on each string

     
     

First Notes to Learn:

1. D String:

   • E (first finger)

   • F# (second finger)

   • G (third finger)

   • A (fourth finger)

     
     

2. A String:

   • B (first finger)

   • C# (second finger)

   • D (third finger)

   • E (fourth finger)

     
     

Common Beginner Mistakes:

1. Physical Issues

   • Collapsed fingers or playing on finger pads (Critical Error!)

     • Fingers must stay tall with all knuckles bent

     • Think of fingers as curved "teepees" or arches

     • Each finger should create a perfect curve, like a little bridge

     • Contact point must be the fingertip

     • All three knuckles of each finger should be bent

   • Flat fingers instead of curved

   • Squeezing with thumb

   • Palm touching neck

   • Tense or raised shoulder

     
     

2. Placement Issues

   • Fingers not landing straight down

   • Inconsistent spacing between fingers

   • Pressing too hard or too soft

   • Not keeping unused fingers curved

   • Looking at fingers instead of feeling placement

     
     

3. Intonation Issues

   • Not listening while placing fingers

   • Relying too much on tapes

   • Inconsistent finger pressure

   • Not checking against open strings

     
     

Practice Tips:

1. Start Slowly

   • Practice each new finger pattern separately

   • Use short, focused sessions

   • Always maintain proper hand position

   • Listen carefully to each note

     
     

2. Use References

   • Check notes against open strings

   • Use a tuner initially

   • Record yourself and listen back

   • Have teacher check position regularly

     
     

3. Build Gradually

   • Master one string before moving to next

   • Practice transitions between fingers

   • Incorporate rhythm patterns

     
     

Remember: Developing proper left hand technique takes time and patience. Focus on accuracy before speed, and always maintain proper hand position. Your hand may feel tired at first - take frequent breaks and never practice through pain or excessive fatigue.

Step 8: Begin Bow Techniques

The bow is your paintbrush, and different bow techniques are like different colors in your musical palette.

Essential bow techniques for beginners:

• Détaché (separate, smooth bow strokes)

• Legato (connected notes)

• Simple string crossings

• Basic dynamics (loud and soft)

Practice Tips:

• Use a mirror to check your bow angle

• Record yourself to assess straight bowing

• Practice bow divisions (whole, half, quarter)

• Focus on smooth bow changes

Step 9: Start with Simple Songs

Nothing builds confidence like playing actual music! Start with simple pieces that use the techniques you've learned.

Recommended first pieces:

- "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star"

- "Long Long Ago"

- "May Song"

- "Lightly Row"

During my own lessons, I create song options that match the student’s taste while still reinforcing the lesson objectives. That way there is deeper engagement and more importantly, enjoyment.

Practice strategies:

• Break songs into small sections, even down to two, three notes at a time. It’s important to feel those intervals between your fingers. 

• Practice slowly and gradually increase speed

• Clap and count rhythms before playing. You can even shadow bow through rhythms!

• Listen to recordings of the pieces. To really enhance your learning, try to sing it! 

Step 10: Establish a Practice Routine

Consistent practice is the secret sauce of violin mastery. It's better to practice 20 minutes daily than 2 hours once a week.

Create an effective practice routine:

1. Warm up (5 minutes)

• Open strings

• Simple scales

• Basic bow exercises

2. Technical work (10 minutes)

• Scales and arpeggios

• Etudes

• Bow exercises

3. Repertoire (10-15 minutes)

• Review previous pieces

• Work on new material

• Sight-reading practice

4. Cool down (5 minutes)

• Play something fun

• Review what you learned

Practice tips:

• Set specific goals for each session

• Use a practice journal

• Record yourself regularly

• Take breaks every 25-30 minutes

Common Beginner Challenges and Solutions

Every new violinist faces challenges. Here's how to overcome the most common ones:

1. Squeaky sounds

• Solution: Check bow pressure and speed

• Ensure proper rosin application

• Maintain consistent contact point

• Check left hand finger position and pressure.

2. Wrist pain

• Solution: Check posture

• Take regular breaks

• Consider having a teacher check your form

3. Difficulty staying in tune

• Solution: Use a tuner regularly

• Ensure fingers are rounded and you're using the tip of your finger, not the pad

• Practice listening exercises

• Check string condition

4. Inconsistent sound

• Solution: Focus on bow control

• Practice long, slow bows

• Record and analyze your playing

Next Steps in Your Violin Journey

As you progress through these steps, remember that learning violin is a marathon, not a sprint. 

Consider these next steps…

1. Find a qualified teacher - Obviously there are some things which are difficult to explain in a blog post or even video. As a result, you will see dramatic improvement in your playing when you seek out the aid of a great instructor. Consider booking a free string lesson at Mejia Music Lessons here.

2. Join a violin playing-community - Playing in a group setting with other beginners will not only improve your playing, it will also keep you accountable for continually improving your practice. Some places to look are local youth orchestras, community string ensembles and even online violin forums.

3. Set achievable goals - Even if your last name happens to be Mozart, you probably won’t turn into him overnight. Progress in violin playing is best made slowly and steadily. Part of that means setting achievable goals such as weekly practice targets, looking for low-pressure performance opportunities or even recording.

Remember, you're embarking on an incredible musical journey! 

Like scaling a mountain, learning violin takes determination and grit - but each small victory brings you closer to the summit. 

There will be challenges along the way, but with dedication and practice, you'll discover new heights of musicianship you never thought possible. 

The path may be demanding, but the view from the top is absolutely worth it and you’ve already taken your first step.

Have questions about getting started with violin? Leave a comment below, and I'll be happy to help guide you on your musical journey.