I'm so very confused about how to play some notes on the violin. How do I play an F on the violin if there is no F string? What string do I play and what finger do I use? I pretty much don't use sheet music and I know lots of people that have been playing for years but don't know how to read sheet music! If someone could help me out that would be great.

You have to use your fingers as well as the strings!

Liz

<Added>

Depends which F - second finger on the D string or first finger on the E string.

Well, I know you have to use your fingers and the strings but which ones? o.O

You might want to pick up a copy of Essential Elements 1 - I'm pretty sure it had a fingering chart. We can't give you them all here, there are too many positions. To give you the basic idea - on the G string, put down one finger and you have an A, two fingers for a B, three for a C, and four for the D (which is the same as the next string up). But there are spacing issues you'll have to work out. You might want to take a lesson or two to get a feel for it (and have your teacher put some tape down for you).

G string:

1st finger pulled toward pegbox: G#
1st finger natural: A

2nd finger just past 1st finger natural: Bflat
2nd finger: B (also called a "high" second finger)

3rd finger just past second finger: C
3rd finger stretched farther: C# (sometimes played with 4th or pinkie)

pinky: D

Then go up to the D string:

1st finger pulled toward pegbox: Eflat
1st finger natural: E

2nd finger just past 1st finger natural: F
2nd finger: F# (also called a "high" second finger)

3rd finger just past second finger: G
3rd finger stretched farther: G# (sometimes played with 4th or pinkie)

Pinky: A

Then go up to the A string:

1st finger pulled toward pegbox: Bflat
1st finger natural: B

2nd finger just past 1st finger natural: C (this is called Cnatural)
2nd finger: C# (also called a "high" second finger)

3rd finger just past second finger: D
3rd finger stretched farther: Eflat (sometimes played with 4th or pinkie)

Pinky: E

1st finger pulled toward pegbox: F
1st finger natural: F#

2nd finger just past 1st finger natural: G
2nd finger: G# (also called a "high" second finger)

3rd finger just past second finger: A
3rd finger stretched farther: Bflat (sometimes played with 4th or pinkie)

pinky: B

Now you have to shift your hand to a higher "position" to go higher. Don't try this until you have the rest down cold :-)


OK OK so now you want to know how to be sure you are finding the notes? That;s easy---*sing* them! Your instrument should match singing--so sing a scale, starting with a match to an open string, and then play that same scale. Piece of cake ;-)

Thank you guys so much. That helped alot. I do have a teacher and she told me how to read the music about a year ago and since she lives in another city I can't go to lessons that much.