10 Lessons Violin PDF

The Violin Tutor: 10 Basic Lessons
The Violin Tutor Book
Basic
10 Lessons
for
Violin
Compiled and edited by

Andrew Gibson
Supported by Software from
www.theviolintutor.com
Copyright  2007, Andrew Gibson. All Rights Reserved.
Www.theviolintutor.com
Practice Record
Week Date Assignment Mon Tue Wed Thurs Fri Sat Sun
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
Contents
Forward and Acknowledgements
Care and Maintenance
Terminology of the Violin and Bow
Lesson 1 - Holding the Violin Lesson 6 - Shadow Bowing

• Feet - Standing Position • Elbow Swing
• Tuning • Bowing on the Shoulder
• Shoulder Pad • Holding Instrument and Swinging Bow
• Rest Position • String Crossing
• Thumb Position • 7 Bow Levels
• Left Hand Strumming • [11] Short Strokes at the Middle
• Positioning with 2 hands
• Playing Position Lesson 7 - Open String Bowed Accompaniments
• Chin Rest • Bow Lift
• Left Hand Pizzicato • [12] Lightly Row (14)
• [1] • Circle Bows - “Double Down” Bowing
• [2] • [13] Hot Cross Buns (1)
• [14] Let Us Chase The Squirrel (12)
Lesson 2 - Placing the Violin with One Hand • [15] Skip To My Lou (5)
• Violin Salute
• Raise and Lower Head Lesson 8 - Open String Note-Reading
• Shifting Preparation • Note-reading practice
• Violin Position • [16] Lightly Row (14)
• [3] • [17] Hot Cross Buns (1)
• [4] • [18] Let Us Chase The Squirrel (12)
• [19] Skip To My Lou (5)
Lesson 3 - Crossing Strings with the Left Hand • [20] Mary Had A Little Lamb (3)
• Elbow Swing • [21] Baa, Baa, Black Sheep (8)
• [5] Lightly Row (14) • [22] Jingle Bells (15)
• [6] Hot Cross Buns (1)
Lesson 9 - Playing on Two Strings
Lesson 4 - Preparation for Holding the Bow • 7 Bow Levels
• “Bunny” Grip • [23 - 28]
• The Balance Point
• Finger Taps Lesson 10 - First Scale and Tunes
st
• [7] Skip To My Lou (5) • Establishing contact between thumb and 1 Finger
• [8] Baa, Baa, Black Sheep (8) • Tapping - Fingers and Thumb
rd
• [9] Let Us Chase The Squirrel (12) • Octave Practice - Locating the 3 Finger
• [29] Descending Major Scales
Lesson 5 - Beginner Bow Hold • [30] French Folk Song (9)
• Beginner Bow Hold • [31] Hot Cross Buns (1)
• Crawling Exercise • [32] Au Claire De La Lune (2)
• Windshield Wiper Exercise - Beginner Bow Hold • [33] Mary Had A Little Lamb (3)
• Windshield Wiper Exercise - Regular Bow Hold • [34] Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star (10)
• [10] Jingle Bells (15) • [35] Major Scale
Theory Review
Forward
This tutor is titled “10 Basic Lessons” because each lesson covers some fundamental aspect of starting to learn the violin.
The content is not just “the notes” but endeavors to demonstrate movements as exercises and drills that though they may
individually appear simple, which they often are, they combine to form the violinist’s technique.
Left hand and right hand actions are presented separately at first and once introduced should form the basis of a regular
practice regime. Reading music is not required to begin because letter and finger based systems are presented along with
music notation, providing a way to start learning immediately, but in the process gradually introducing how to read music.
Though ideally intended to supplement lessons with a teacher it has been designed with a view for those seeking a means
of self instruction.
This symbol introduces material to be read, to clarify a point or present some new material that may be helpful.
This symbol introduces an action exercise that concerns the left hand.
This symbol introduces an action exercise that concerns the right hand.
The symbols combined require the use of both hands.
Any theory, introduced for the first time, is highlighted and explained.
[6] Hot Cross Buns (1) The first number, in square brackets [6], refers to the music in the tutor book.
The second number, in curved brackets (1), refers to the music in the software program.
Open string accompaniments are written as just letter names to begin with.
Tunes are presented with fingerings…
… and as complete music notation.
Accompaniments are provided for teachers or advanced students
Play on all strings - A, D, G, E Play on all other available strings, from memory or view the transposition in the program.
Play on any two strings - A&D, D&G, E&A Play on all other available string combinations as above.
Acknowledgements
Many thanks to Amalia Hall who suffered long but patiently under the hot lights to model for all the pictures and video, and
to Wen Chuan Lin who accompanied on piano for the video.
The teaching methodology has been based on that developed by the incomparable pedagogue Paul Rolland.
Care and Maintenance
The violin is like you, it doesn’t like it too hot or cold. Neither are extremes of dry or damp good.
Do not store your violin in extreme hot or cold locations. Even a short period in a car on a hot day can be very
detrimental. Instruments shouldn’t ever be left in a car, they could easily be stolen.
Dry conditions can be worse over time, the instrument may crack or seams open, but there are devices
available that you put in the case with the violin to stabalise the humidity.
Put a small amount of rosin on your bow before playing. Hold the rosin in your left hand,
place the bow hairs flat on the rosin and move the bow back and forth on the rosin.
Wear down the rosin evenly. Creating a deep groove only wastes rosin.
Be careful not to chip or drop the rosin, it will break easily. Place your thumb over the ferrule,
the metal part, to avoid it breaking the rosin.
Tighten your bow before playing by Avoid making the bow too taut, there should still be a bow in the
gently turning the tension screw. bow. You only need about a pencil width between hair and stick.
Loosen the hair on your bow before putting it back in the case. Make sure there is nothing under the violin, like the
shoulder-rest, when you close the case. This could cause the bridge to be pushed through the violin top.
Keep your nails cut. Long nails interfere with the correct angle of the fingers on the fingerboard and may even
damage the string. If the outer layer is broken it may cause the string to become unstable, and in turn uneven
edges may damage the fingerboard, causing grooves to appear.
After playing the violin, gently clean it with a soft cloth to remove any rosin build-up on the
strings, fingerboard and varnish. A silk cloth works particularly well in removing rosin off the
varnish and fingerboard. A light brushing movement is all you need. A cotton cloth may be used
vigorously on the strings to remove the rosin. A drop of perfume on a cloth can help to dissolve
built-up and hard to remove rosin. Never use this on the varnish.
Polish is rarely needed, and when necessary, only a commercial violin polish should be used.
Cleaning the violin with regular furniture polish could damage the varnish and thereby the
acoustics of the violin.
A cloth over the top of the instrument may prevent any marks due to bow movement or things
coming loose in the case.
Strings should be replaced if broken or worn. A string with a damaged outer winding may mark the fingerboard. Even if
the string does not break it won’t last forever. Eventually it will lose it’s tonal quality or pitch and become “false”.
Never remove all the strings at once, the sound post may fall over. Replace them one at a time.
Store the violin with the strings in tune. Do not loosen the strings unless maybe travelling on a plane. Loosening the
strings too much may allow the sound post, inside the belly of the instrument, to fall over. The sound post serves two very
important roles: it stops the instrument from collapsing, and it facilitates the sound producing vibration of the string. It is
often necessary over time to replace the sound post, especially if moving to drastically different climates. The instrument
will respond to differences in humidity and temperature by expanding or shrinking, the sound post becoming
correspondingly too loose or too tight.
Terminology of Violin and Bow
Lesson 1 - Holding the Violin
1. Standing Feet Position 2. Tuning
Start with heels together. Step to the left and slightly ahead. The A string is tuned first, then D,G and E.
Lower Higher
Listen carefully as you, or your teacher, tunes.
Have weight slightly on the left foot,

but be able to shift from the left side back to the centre.
To stabilize the violin a shoulder pad, also known as a shoulder rest, is often used.
For beginners I recommend using sponge cut to shape, or a rolled up cloth.
Shoulder
A rubber band secured around the end button is then hooked over the lower bout, under the chin
Pad rest, left side.
The sponge makes it easier to fit, especially smaller sized instruments.
3. Rest Position 4. Thumb Position
Wrap left hand around the neck The thumb provides counter-pressure, but should only be as little as
Make sure not to touch the bridge. necessary without squeezing between thumb and fingers.
st
The base joint of the 1 finger There is no one fixed position for
should be level with the top of the the thumb but use it lightly, the
fingerboard. Don’t trap the fingers relaxed hand finds the correct
under the neck. position naturally.
Lesson 1
5. Left Hand Strumming 6. Positioning with 2 hands 7. Playing Position
Start with the hand hanging by the Gradually bring the violin up into a Point the tail piece to the centre of the
thumb near the end of the neck. playing position, the right hand may neck.
Pivot on the thumb so the little finger help, strumming continuously. Place the violin lightly on the collar
can reach the G string. bone.
Support with the left arm but use the right hand as well to begin with.
Brush the little finger lightly across the strings, lower to higher - G D A E, letting the arm swing slightly.
An ill fitting chin rest can wreak havoc with the position of the head.
The head must not be thrown back but allow the chin to sink over the lip of the chin rest.
Chin Rest
With the chin dropped the spine, at the back of the head, straightens. Head should remain vertical.
With a circular finger movement pull the little (4th) finger

8. Left Hand Pizzicato
across one string.
Lesson 1
This is the playing position for the pizzicato tunes and exercises
The end button should be pointing towards the centre of the neck.
With the head turned approximately 45º to the left the violin will be a little bit further left.
Playing
Another way to think about it is to line the violin over the left foot.
Position Bottom edge of the violin should be on the collar bone, next to the neck.
Lesson 1
Theory
Quarter Note 1 beat of sound Crotchet Note
Quarter Rest 1 beat of silence Crotchet Rest
Time Signature 4 4 beats per measure
4 or get one beat
Bar Line Divides the music staff into measures
Measure Space between 2 bar lines containing the beats
Music Staff Has 5 lines and 4 spaces
th
Pluck (pizzicato) with left little (4 ) finger.
• Upper line - Student Pluck the string loudly pulling the finger back quickly from
• Lower line - Teacher or Advanced Student the base joint. Keep the hand still.
1.
2.
Lesson 2 - Placing the Violin with One Hand
1. Violin Salute
From the Rest Position raise the violin

with the left hand alone.
2. Raise and Lower Head
Avoid stiffness in the neck, lift the head

off the chin rest, let the weight of the
head sit comfortably on the chin rest.
Support between collar bone and hand,

violin sitting like a table top.
3. Shifting Preparation
Swing the elbow further in front of you
Move the lower arm until the hand is as the thumb goes round the neck and
Place the fingers on the string in First over the body of the instrument, this is fingers extend further up the neck into
position, start on the A string. a Middle position. a higher position.
Lesson 2
4. Violin Position
The violin may move up or down, or left to right, but keep the contact on the collar-bone.
Violin Avoid pointing the scroll down to the ground. Support with the left hand.
Position Try balancing the bow or ping pong ball on G and D strings between bridge and fingerboard.
It is safer to practice over your bed or cushion in case anything falls.
Theory
Half Note 2 beats of sound Minim Note
Half Rest 2 beats of silence Minim Rest
3.
4.
Lesson 3 - Crossing Strings with the Left Hand
1. Elbow Swing
Play with a slight elbow

swing to promote a relaxed
shoulder joint and to allow
the little finger to reach the
string without strain.
On the G string the fingers

will be straighter, on the E
string more curved.
The lower the string the

more the elbow needs to
move to your right.
Widen between the base joint of the fingers to give more space between the fingers and thereby a
longer reach.
Widen
Base Joint This has implications for finger placement once you start putting fingers down to make notes.
Lesson 3
Pluck the string loudly pulling the finger back quickly Move with a slight elbow swing when changing strings.
from the base joint as fast as possible.
Place finger on string before playing and move to the
Keep the hand still and finger curved. next string in the rest, that is, as soon as possible.
5. Lightly Row
Theory
Eighth Note 1/2 beat of sound Quaver Note
Eighth Rest 1/2 beat of silence Quaver Rest
6. Hot Cross Buns
Lesson 4 - Preparation for Holding the Bow
1. “Bunny” Grip
Make a circle between right hand thumb and the middle digit joint of the second finger.
Place the third finger next to the

second with the first and little fingers Wiggle the two middle fingers Wiggle the first and little fingers
separate. - these are the bunnies nose. - these are the bunnies ears.
2. Balance Point
Lesson 4
Find the balance point of the bow by balancing it on a finger

or the thumb of the right hand. Support the bow with the left
hand, either at the middle or the tip.
Next try finding the balance point using the right side tip of
the thumb. Keep note of where the balance point is
The thumb needs to be curved and pointing slightly up, as

though on a diagonal.
The fingers should be above the bow to start with, the little
finger a bit higher than the rest.
Try this over your bed or cushion in case the bow falls.
3. Finger Taps - Thumb and Little Finger
Place a pencil in the “Bunny” Grip between thumb and With the palm side up, letting the bow rest in the hand, tap
middle joint of middle finger. the thumb nail against the pencil or stick.
With the palm side down tap the little finger nail Promotes relaxation and correct finger shape and
against the side of the pencil or stick. placement.
Lesson 4
Pluck (pizzicato) 7. Skip To My Lou
8. Baa, Baa, Black Sheep
Theory

4 or get one beat
9. Let Us Chase The Squirrel
Lesson 5 - Beginner Bow Hold
1. Beginner Bow Hold
It is advisable to begin with the thumb near the balance point,

the bow feels lighter and causes less work for the fingers.
Combine the Bunny Grip with the Balance on Right Thumb

- middle fingers hanging down on far side of the stick.
2. Crawling Exercise
With the bow pointing straight up walk the fingers up and down the bow.
3 A. Windshield Wiper Exercise - Beginner Bow Hold Position

th
Rotate the lower arm moving the bow left to right. Use the 4 finger to keep the bow horizontal.
st th
Feel the weight of the bow on the 1 finger. Feel the weight of the bow against the 4 finger.
Lesson 5
3 B. Windshield Wiper Exercise - Regular Bow Hold Position
The regular hold has the thumb touching the stick between the frog and the leather grip.
st th
Feel the bow weight on the 1 finger. Bow feels lighter, soften your hold. Feel the weight against the 4 finger.
Pluck (pizzicato)
10. Jingle Bells
Lesson 6 - Shadow Bowing
Place your left hand into the crook of your right elbow. Keep the upper arm still.
1. Elbow Swing
Swing the lower arm from the elbow, like a door moves from its hinge.
2. Bowing on the Shoulder
Place the bow on the left shoulder.
Let the wrist rise to touch the chin without lifting the
bow or moving your head.
Let the elbow hang, ready for the down bow.
Move out in a straight line until just the tip is on the

shoulder.
Rotate the lower arm to keep the feeling of weight

st
through the 1 finger.
Lesson 6
3. Holding Instrument and Swinging Bow
Have the left hand above the instrument. Keeping the bow tip away from the instrument raise and lower the
Hook the tip of the bow with the curved little finger. bow from the upper arm.
4. String Crossing
Place the bow hair flat on the string between bridge and Silently raise and lower the whole arm from the lowest to
fingerboard. highest string.
Start with right arm at a right angle. The arm moves to a new position or level for each string.
Each individual string has its own arm level as does each pair of strings G-D, D-A, and A-E, for a
total of 7 bow levels.
7 Bow Levels
Lesson 6
Theory
Down Bow Move Bow to the right
Up Bow Move Bow to the left
Comma Lift or Stop Bow
Repeat Go back to beginning and play again
Play on all strings 11. Short Strokes at the Middle
Lesson 7 - Open String Bowed Accompaniments
Change position gradually

1. Bow Lift th
Keep 4 finger curved to help balance Middle - Heel - Middle - Point
the bow weight in the hand.
Change the bow position by lifting and Make a wide change
placing it at different parts of the bow. Heel - Point
Theory
Dotted Half Note 3 beats of sound Dotted Minim Note
D and A Strings 12. Lightly Row
Lesson 7
2. Circle Bows - “Double Down” Bowing
Play a down bow and without stopping lift it off the

string and return it to its starting position with a
circular motion, then stop.
Keep the bow pointing in the same direction off the

string as on.
The little finger must be curved and still, to balance

the bow’s weight.
The bow should be placed silently and lightly on

the string before the next note is played.
Use the fingers like springs to produce a soft

landing.
Play from the string, relax unwanted tension once

the bow is on the string again.
Short Strokes with Lift =
13. Hot Cross Buns
G and D Strings
Lesson 7
Theme and Variations
15. Skip To My Lou

Theme
Variation 1
Variation 2
Lesson 8 - Open String Note-Reading
Note-reading practice
D and A Strings 16. Lightly Row
Lesson 8
D and A Strings
17. Hot Cross Buns
G and D Strings
Lesson 8
G and D Strings 19. Skip To My Lou
A and E Strings 20. Mary Had A Little Lamb
Lesson 8
All Strings - G D A E
21. Baa, Baa, Black Sheep
Theory
st
1 Ending Play first time through
Repeat Sign Go back to the beginning

nd
2 Ending Play second time in place of the first ending
G, D and A Strings 22. Jingle Bells
Lesson 9 - Playing on Two Strings
Playing two strings at the same time: arm level moves between the level of the individual strings.
Each string has its own arm level as does each pair of strings G-D, D-A, and A-E, for a total of 7 bow levels.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
Lesson 10 - First Scale and Tunes
st
1. Establishing contact between thumb and 1 finger
Review Lesson 1: 4.Thumb Position
The thumb provides counter-pressure, but should only be

as little as necessary without squeezing between thumb and
fingers.
st
The base joint of the 1 finger should be level with the top
of the fingerboard. Don’t trap the fingers under the neck.
There is no one fixed position for the thumb but use it

lightly, the relaxed hand finds the correct position naturally.
Taking the thumb off the neck to avoid squeezing is the

surest way to relieve unwanted tension.
2. Tapping - Fingers and Thumb
Tap the fingers on the string from the base joint, keeping the finger
curved.
Aim to have the string through the middle of the finger tip.
The finger should be able to sit on the string without touching adjacent
strings.
To play the same finger on two strings at the same time place the
finger between both strings and flatten the finger more if necessary.
rd
3. Octave Practice - Locating the 3 Finger
To find a balanced hand position, one where all the fingers can reach
rd
the string at the same time without strain, tune the 3 finger to the
open string lower than the one the finger is on. That is:
rd
G open string and 3 finger G on D string
rd
D open string and 3 finger D on A string
rd
A open string and 3 finger A on E string
rd th
With the 3 finger down on the string the 4 finger should be able to
rd
easily touch the string close to the 3 finger, and still be curved.
nd rd
Place the 2 finger next to the 3 finger, still quite curved.
st nd
1 finger is half way between the 2 finger and the open string is the
squarest finger, more up-and-down than the rest, reaching back the
most.
Lesson 10
Theory
4 or get one beat

Note Names
Descending Major Scales

A and D Strings
29.a D Major Scale
Transposed for D and G Strings
29.b G Major Scale
Transposed for E and A Strings
29.c A Major Scale
Lesson 10
Play on any two strings

A&D, D&G, E&A
30. French Folk Song
Play on all strings

A, D, G, E
31. Hot Cross Buns
Play on all strings

A, D, G, E
32. Au Claire De La Lune
Lesson 10
Play on all strings A, D, G, E
33. Mary Had A Little Lamb
Lesson 10
Theory
Da Capo D.C. From the beginning ( literally, “the head” )
Fine Fine The end. After playing from the beginning again, stop.

D&A, G&D, A&E
34. Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

D&A, G&D, A&E
35. Major Scale
Theory Review
Quarter Note 1 beat of sound Crotchet Note

Quarter Rest 1 beat of silence Crotchet Rest
Half Note 2 beats of sound Minim Note
Half Rest 2 beats of silence Minim Rest
Eighth Note 1/2 beat of sound Quaver Note
Eighth Rest 1/2 beat of silence Quaver Rest

Dotted Half Note 3 beats of sound Dotted Minim Note
Time Signatures 4 4 beats per measure

4 or get one beat
3 3 beats per measure

4 or get one beat
2 2 beats per measure

4 or get one beat
Bar Line Divides the music staff into measures
Measure Space between 2 bar lines containing the beats
Music Staff Has 5 lines and 4 spaces
Down Bow Move Bow to the right
Up Bow Move Bow to the left
Comma Lift or Stop Bow
Repeat Go back to beginning and play again
Da Capo D.C. From the beginning (literally, “the head”)
Fine Fine The end. After playing from the beginning again, stop.
10 Basic Lessons for Violin

Video and Software Support
35 Tunes and Studies
25 Exercise Drills
Music Theory
70 Images
www.theviolintutor.com
Copyright  2007, Andrew Gibson. All Rights Reserved.

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The Violin Tutor: 10 Basic Lessons

The Violin Tutor Book

Compiled and edited by

Supported by Software from

Care and Maintenance

Terminology of the Violin and Bow

Lesson 1 - Holding the Violin Lesson 6 - Shadow Bowing

The symbols combined require the use of both hands.

Tunes are presented with fingerings…

… and as complete music notation.

Accompaniments are provided for teachers or advanced students

Care and Maintenance

Terminology of Violin and Bow

Lesson 1 - Holding the Violin

1. Standing Feet Position 2. Tuning

Listen carefully as you, or your teacher, tunes.

Have weight slightly on the left foot,

3. Rest Position 4. Thumb Position

5. Left Hand Strumming 6. Positioning with 2 hands 7. Playing Position

With a circular finger movement pull the little (4th) finger

Quarter Note 1 beat of sound Crotchet Note

Quarter Rest 1 beat of silence Crotchet Rest

Time Signature 4 4 beats per measure

4 or get one beat

Bar Line Divides the music staff into measures

Measure Space between 2 bar lines containing the beats

Music Staff Has 5 lines and 4 spaces

Lesson 2 - Placing the Violin with One Hand

From the Rest Position raise the violin

2. Raise and Lower Head

Avoid stiffness in the neck, lift the head

Support between collar bone and hand,

Half Note 2 beats of sound Minim Note

Half Rest 2 beats of silence Minim Rest

Lesson 3 - Crossing Strings with the Left Hand

Play with a slight elbow

On the G string the fingers

The lower the string the

Eighth Note 1/2 beat of sound Quaver Note

Eighth Rest 1/2 beat of silence Quaver Rest

6. Hot Cross Buns

Lesson 4 - Preparation for Holding the Bow

Place the third finger next to the

Find the balance point of the bow by balancing it on a finger

The thumb needs to be curved and pointing slightly up, as

3. Finger Taps - Thumb and Little Finger

Pluck (pizzicato) 7. Skip To My Lou

8. Baa, Baa, Black Sheep

Time Signature 2 2 beats per measure

9. Let Us Chase The Squirrel

Lesson 5 - Beginner Bow Hold

1. Beginner Bow Hold

It is advisable to begin with the thumb near the balance point,

Combine the Bunny Grip with the Balance on Right Thumb

3 A. Windshield Wiper Exercise - Beginner Bow Hold Position

3 B. Windshield Wiper Exercise - Regular Bow Hold Position

10. Jingle Bells

Lesson 6 - Shadow Bowing

2. Bowing on the Shoulder

Place the bow on the left shoulder.

Let the elbow hang, ready for the down bow.

Move out in a straight line until just the tip is on the

Rotate the lower arm to keep the feeling of weight