Free reference · Strings

Violin Finger Chart Notes on the Fingerboard (First Position)

The violin's four strings are tuned in perfect fifths — G3, D4, A4, E5. In first position the hand sits just above the nut, and four fingers plus the open string cover a fifth on each string, spanning G3 to B5 in total. Fingers are numbered 1 (index) to 4 (pinky), with 0 for open string. Because there are no frets, each finger has a “low” and “high” placement a half step apart.

Tap or click any note on the fingerboard. Filled notes sit on the four tape positions.

A3finger 1 · G string · tape ①

Tap any note on the fingerboard to place it.

Every fingering is verified against the notation and fingerboard views inside Soloist Violin.

The chart, string by string

First position · every note on all four strings
Finger	G string	D string	A string	E string
0 (open)	G3	D4	A4	E5
low 1	A♭3/G♯3	E♭4/D♯4	B♭4/A♯4	F5
1 ①	A3	E4	B4	F♯5
low 2	B♭3/A♯3	F4	C5	G5
high 2 ②	B3	F♯4	C♯5	G♯5
3 ③	C4	G4	D5	A5
high 3	C♯4/D♭4	G♯4/A♭4	D♯5/E♭5	A♯5/B♭5
4 ④	D4 (= open D)	A4 (= open A)	E5 (= open E)	B5

Tape guidance

Tape placement from the inside edge of the nut — starting points only
Size	Tape ① (finger 1)	Tape ② (high 2)	Tape ③ (finger 3)	Tape ④ (finger 4)
4/4	≈ 35 mm	≈ 66 mm	≈ 80 mm	≈ 106 mm
3/4	≈ 32 mm	≈ 61 mm	≈ 75 mm	≈ 100 mm
1/2	≈ 28 mm	≈ 54 mm	≈ 68 mm	≈ 91 mm

These measurements are starting points only — every instrument differs slightly. After tuning the A string, check that fingers on the tapes read B, C♯, D, and E on a tuner and nudge each tape until they do. A common three-tape variant omits tape ②. Tapes are a first-year-or-two aid; plan to remove them as ear and hand frame develop.

How to read this chart

0 = open string; 1 = index, 2 = middle, 3 = ring, 4 = pinky.
“Low” and “high” mean the same finger shifted a half step down or up — e.g., on the A string, low-2 plays C natural (touching finger 1) and high-2 plays C♯ (touching finger 3).
The default beginner frame (D major pattern): whole step 1→2, half step 2→3, whole step 3→4.
The 4th finger duplicates the next open string’s pitch (G-string 4 = open D, etc.) — use it to self-check intonation.
Tape positions marked ① ② ③ ④ correspond to finger 1, high-2, 3, and 4.

Questions

Why does my chart show two positions for the 2nd finger?

Because the violin has no frets, finger 2 moves a half step depending on key: next to finger 1 for C/G/F naturals (low-2), next to finger 3 for C♯/F♯/G♯ (high-2). Set the pattern for your key before you play — G and D major use high-2, C major uses low-2.

Is the 4th finger necessary when the open string plays the same note?

Open strings ring brighter and can't vibrato; the 4th finger gives a matched, controllable tone. Beginners use both — open string to check the 4th finger's intonation, fingered 4 in melodic passages.

Keep exploring

Put the chart to work

The app listens — and grades every one of these notes.

Soloist Violin puts fingerings on real notation, hears whether each note drifted sharp or flat, and builds drills from your rough spots — free on iPhone, no ads, no account.

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