Violin for Students

Look Listen Play

A colorful visual workbook for your first violin lessons

Look • Listen • Move • Play

NISMCAA | Book 6

Your violin journey

Learn a comfortable playing position, make open string sounds, find selected first position notes and turn them into short melodies. Every lesson pairs a visual guide with a practical task. Learn at your own pace with a violin teacher.

Begin with the open strings, then notes on D and A and a one octave D major scale. Numbers beside letters identify pitch register: D4 is the open D string and D5 is the D an octave above it.

My name: __________________________________

My school: __________________________________

My teacher: _________________________________

My first goal: _________________________________

How to use your book

1. LOOK at the picture and find the same places with your teacher.

2. SAY the note names and count the rhythm.

3. TRY a short comfortable attempt, then rest.

4. PRACTICE the next page and show what you learned.

Pictures guide you, but listening and a teacher’s feedback guide the exact finger places and bow hold. Stop if playing hurts. Your teacher can adapt support, instrument size and tasks to your needs.

Your lesson route

Each lesson has a teaching page and a practice page. Tick it when you can show its skill.

○ 01 Meet your violin · 9

○ 02 Choose a comfortable setup · 11

○ 03 Find the main parts · 13

○ 04 Meet the four strings · 15

○ 05 Place the violin · 17

○ 06 Stand comfortably · 19

○ 07 Sit comfortably · 21

○ 08 Shape your left hand · 23

○ 09 Explore your bow · 25

○ 10 Prepare the bow · 27

○ 11 Build your bow hold · 29

○ 12 Move without a sound · 31

○ 13 Find the bow lane · 33

○ 14 Play open D · 35

○ 15 Play open A · 37

○ 16 Change between D and A · 39

○ 17 Explore G and E · 41

○ 18 Keep four steady beats · 43

○ 19 Read note lengths · 45

○ 20 Count rests · 47

○ 21 Try a gentle pluck · 49

○ 22 Number your left fingers · 51

Reference and writing pages begin on page 97.

Your next lessons

Each lesson has a teaching page and a practice page. Tick it when you can show its skill.

○ 23 Play E on the D string · 53

○ 24 Play F sharp on D · 55

○ 25 Play G on D · 57

○ 26 Read the D string pattern · 59

○ 27 Play B on the A string · 61

○ 28 Play C sharp on A · 63

○ 29 Play upper D on A · 65

○ 30 Climb the D major scale · 67

○ 31 Explore your fourth finger · 69

○ 32 Read your first staff notes · 71

○ 33 Play a first melody · 73

○ 34 Name bow directions · 75

○ 35 Connect two notes · 77

○ 36 Share a beat in two · 79

○ 37 Shape loud and soft · 81

○ 38 Listen and adjust pitch · 83

○ 39 Solve a sound problem · 85

○ 40 Ask and answer in music · 87

○ 41 Compose a little tune · 89

○ 42 Play with your group · 91

○ 43 Care for your violin · 93

○ 44 Share your progress · 95

Reference and writing pages begin on page 97.

See two playing positions

Side view: violin on your left shoulder area, jaw gently on the chinrest. Left hand supports the neck and right hand holds the bow. A teacher checks the fit.

Seated view: stable chair, feet supported, shoulders easy and room for the bow. Set the stand at a comfortable reading height.

Read string and finger labels

The diagrams show a front view with the scroll above. Use the letters G D A E to name the strings. A finger number says which left fingertip stops the sounding string.

0 means open. 1 is index, 2 middle, 3 ring and 4 little finger. The thumb supports. Teacher chosen tapes may help temporarily, but they must be placed by pitch on your violin.

Read a rhythm block

Each bar has four beats. Play a letter for the length underneath its block. A wider block lasts longer. REST means keep counting quietly while the bow stops.

Here: D E F sharp E | D D for two beats REST. This uses the D string notes from lessons 23 to 26. Speak and clap first. These learning grids are not complete musical scores.

LESSON 01 • LOOK AND TRY

Meet your violin

Discover a wooden instrument with four strings.

1. Find the body, neck and scroll.

2. Notice the fingerboard and bridge.

3. Listen to your teacher play a short violin phrase.

Listen: A violin can make smooth, bright or warm sounds.

Check: Stay comfortable. Rest normally and ask for help when needed.

LESSON 01 • PLAY AND CHECK

Try it yourself

1. Point to three parts without pushing them.

2. Describe two sounds you heard.

3. Draw a violin and label its body and neck.

Ready for more? Describe its sound with two words.

School connection: Naming parts practices descriptive vocabulary.

○ I tried it ○ I can show it ○ I want help

One thing I noticed: __________________________

My next small step: ___________________________

LESSON 02 • LOOK AND TRY

Choose a comfortable setup

Let a teacher fit the instrument to your reach.

1. Ask a teacher to choose the violin and bow size.

2. Have the teacher fit a suitable shoulder support if needed.

3. Prepare a clear space, stable case and readable stand.

Listen: Comfort matters more than using a larger instrument.

Check: Stay comfortable. Rest normally and ask for help when needed.