This is a really basic question (well, I think it is anyway) and it`s about positioning on the violin.

I can only play in the 1st position at the moment, but I`ve heard of postions going up to about the 7th. Could anyone tell me where these positions `start?`

I`m aware that the 6th and 7th are probably only for the experts, but it would be helpful if anyone could enlighten me!

Thanks

Yes, it`s easy. Imagine you`re on the A string.

1st position has first finger on B
2nd position has first finger on C
3rd position has first finger on D, in fourth position it`s on E, fifth on F, sixth on G, seventh on A, and so on.

Liz

Heh...just learned 4th at my last lesson...I find it way easier than either 2 or 3...and 2nd is causing me by far the most problems...

...go figure...

Also, half position with the first finger on B-flat on the A-string.

I`m still only in first position and learning how to use my pinky finger. But my teacher said I can start learning the others soon.

Thanks for all your replies. Looking at where the positions start it does seem a bit obvious :P

Vio-Lynn, I think I can speak for many people on this forun by saying that using your 4th finger is one of the hardest things to do...I`m still getting the hang of it at the moment, but I`m hitting the correct note more often now!

Thanks again

shifting....i love shifting!
actually, the more you practise, the easier it gets. the concept is very simple. 1st pos. to 7th pos. all relate to where your first finger is placed. so if you`re playing in 3rd pos., it means that your first finger is where your third finger normally would be. get it? it may not make sense now, but it will. of course, as you go along, up to 5th and 6th and 7th pos., it gets more difficult because you don`t have a solid base to come from...
also, belive me when i say that as you advance, you`ll want to use your fourth finger more than your open string. and be patient. everything - and i mean everything on the violin takes patience.
and is it just me, or is 3rd pos. the easiet to play in besides 1st?

I was just looking through the replies and I`ve just thought of another question.

When the music is written down, are there any symbols, numbers, etc telling you what position to be in or to shift to, or is it something you have to work out for yourself?

Thanks again

Sometimes you`ll get finger numbers or be told which string to play on, but most of the time it is left to the player`s discretion.

Most of the time it`s just fingering (in Arabic numerals). Sometimes the position is written in Roman numerals.

i have been playin the violin for a while now... 2 yrs lol sonot very long but still lol ne ways... i find that the first finger is bettet then the 3rd. i have played a song (amazing grace) and you had to shift up to 5th and man that was freaking hard!!!! well keep it up and you`ll do good
britt p.s. oh yea fourth finger is really easy!

3rd position is the easiest after 1st, and 2nd and 4th are harder than either of them, for me. I think 5th is easier than 4th, though, since it`s fingering is the same as 1st. After 5th, I really don`t think about the number, more about the actual note my first finger would be on.

One thing I think really helped be learn shifting better is shifting when you don`t necessarily have to. For example, play in 2nd, 3rd, and 5th positions on the D string once in a while, and ordinarilly easy music isn`t quite so easy anymore. A benefit of this is also that once in a while, when you`re reading something, you might shift early and then conveniently be in position for a higher not. I also shift a lot to avoid the E-string. Another strange thing is that vibrato in 3rd position is probably where it is the easiest.

-Tim

quote :...3rd position is the easiest after 1st, and 2nd and 4th are harder than either of them, for me. I think 5th is easier than 4th, though, since it`s fingering is the same as 1st. After 5th, I really don`t think about the number, more about the actual note my first finger would be on...
Yeah, I agree. 1st, 3rd are the easiest. Followed by 2nd and 4th. 5th is quite easy actually.

Just having another look through the replies, and I think it was Liz who said that if you`re on the A string, C = 2nd, D = 3rd, etc.

Does this mean then, for example in 2nd position, that the start on the G string would be A#, D string would be F and E string would be G...or have I got mixed up?

Thanks

P.S. To get those notes, I saw where C was an the A string, then followed that `line` for the notes on the other strings

...Or have I confused you all?