top of page

Lesson 5 - Adding the SECOND finger

Back to: Lesson 4

or on to: Lesson 6

What can go wrong in the pieces?

Tuning: Before thinking about the positioning of your fingers check that your violin is in tune before starting.

Finger in the wrong place: Very easy to do. Check where your 1st finger is and then check your 2nd isn't slightly too close to, or too far away from your first.

Preparation for piece 18 - have you done it before starting to play?

15 Frere... - Student's Track
00:00
15 Frere... - Duet
00:00
16 Welsh... - Student's Track
00:00
16 Welsh... - Duet
00:00
17 Windmill... - Student's Track
00:00
18 Hot X Buns - Student's Track
00:00
17 Windmill... - Duet
00:00
18 Hot X Buns - Duet
00:00
19 Merrily... - Student's Track
00:00
18 Hot X Buns - Duet
00:00

Key Points

  • First of all make sure you violin is in tune.

  • You will continue with plucking the violin in guitar position.

  • This lesson is about the second finger on the D string and getting it in tune.

  • You can see in the picture where the finger needs to be (about an inch away from the 1st finger).

  • If you know where to find a note on a piano keyboard (F# is a black note 4 up from middle C counting C as 1) then you check your accuracy by listening to the note and comparing it with what you hear from the keyboard.

  • Piece 15 is intended purely for repetition to help put your second finger in the right place. You most probably know this tune so use the way it sounds as well as your eye to ensure accuracy.

  • Real accuracy on the violin is achieved over a period of time. It gets better as you practise. So be patient.

  • Piece 18 starts on a 2nd finger. As preparation play an open D,  then a 1st finger and then your 2nd (like piece 15) before you start.

  • The quavers need to be practised steadily before you try to make them quicker.

  • Remember that at this stage, you will make progress with just  a few minutes practice each day. You don't need to do lots.

bottom of page