If you are already a little familiar with violin fingering, and musical notes, reviewing how to play notes by note name can be helpful. Or if you are a parent of a violinist, and your student comes across a note they don't know how to play, use these pictures to help them put their finger in the right place.

The following fingering pictures are for E notes in first position. More detailed written instructions below. 

E on the D String - Place your first finger on the D string a whole step away from the end of the fingerboard.
E Flat on the D String - Slide the first finger down towards the scroll. 
E on the A Strong - This note should sound exactly like your open E string. Place your fourth finger a <em>whole</em> step away from your third finger.

E Flat on the D String - Slide your fourth finger down towards your scroll. It should be touching your third finger. This is sometimes referred to as a 'low' fourth finger.

As a general rule of thumb, whole notes will 'feel' like they are about one inch away from each other. Half note fingers should practically be touching each other.

Violin Fingering for E Sharp - E Sharp in beginning music is uncommon. E Sharp can be played the same way a 'F Natural' would, or by simply sliding your finger up half a step from where you are playing E Natural.

Tune your E Note

For Beginning and Intermediate Students - To check the intonation of the E Note you are playing with your finger, compare it with open E String. If your note pitch sounds higher than the E string, slide your finger towards the scroll. If your note sounds lower than the E string, slide your finger towards the bridge.

For Advanced Students - When an E Note (played on a different string than the E string) is perfectly in tune it will cause a vibration in your open E string. This vibration is hard to find or hear when you first practice looking for it. Learning how to detect it easily though will make a huge difference in your intonation. So, give it a try, and watch your intonation improve!

Check Out These Related Articles