In this lesson, you will learn where the notes are located on the A string.
If you just started learning the violin, one of the first things you might wonder about is where to find all the notes on the violin strings. In this lesson you will learn all the notes on the A string.
By the end of this lesson you can expect to know exactly what notes are on the A string and how to play them.
What is the A String on a Violin?
The A string is the second thinnest on the violin. It is located between the D and E strings on the violin. Orchestras tune to it for concert pitch, by hearing either the first violinist or oboe play it for them.
What are the Violin Notes on the A String?
In the first position from low to high, the notes on the A string are A, A#, B, C, C#, D, D#, E.
To see exactly how the notes are placed on the violin fingerboard, have a look at the chart below:
In this video I play all notes on the A string and tell you where they are on the staff and what are they called:
Playing the Violin Notes on the A string
When you play the notes on the A string, it is important to play each note with the correct finger number.
Every finger of your left hand is assigned a number, except the thumb. We do not use the thumb to play actual notes, but to hold the instrument.
The index finger is given the number 1; the middle finger is given 2; the ring finger is given 3; and the pinky finger is given 4.
The notes on the A string are played with the following finger numbers:
The first/index finger positions
- A# – low first finger
- B – high first finger
The second finger positions
- C – low second finger
- C# – high second finger
The third finger positions
- D – low third finger
- D# – high third finger
The fourth finger position
- E – regular (low) fourth finger
You can stretch the fourth finger to play an E#, however, this is very uncommon in beginner repertoire.
The A String Notes in Violin Sheet Music
Here is what the violin notes on the A string look like in violin sheet music.
The first and lowest note that you can see in the image below is the open A string. In the image you can also see the other notes on the A string, along with the finger numbers with which you should play the notes.
The highest note on the A string is the E. This is also the highest note that is played by beginners in the first position.
Now it’s time for a small exercise.
Here you can see a few notes on the violin A string. Can you write the correct fingering above the notes?
Answer: 1, 4, 2, 3, 0, 1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 1, 3
Advanced Notes on the A string
Next to the basic notes on the A string, there are higher, more advanced notes on the A string as well. We can only reach those notes if we play in the higher violin positions. The highest playable note on the A string is a D, although you will probably never find that note in a musical piece to be played on an A string.
Fingering Chart for All Notes on the A string [Free PDF Download]
This free fingering chart illustrates the lowest to the highest note in the first position on the A string.
Make sure to keep the chart close to you when you practice for an easy reference of the correct fingering on the A string.
Get Your Free Fingering Charts
of All Violin Notes
Notes on the Other Violin Strings
Now that you’ve learned to play all the notes on the A string, you might be curious about the notes on all the other violin strings.
I wrote a similar lesson for each one of the other violin strings. You can read all of the lessons below:
I also wrote a lesson on all the violin notes where you can download the fingering charts of the notes on each violin string. You can check that lesson out here:
It’s Time to Start Practicing!
Now that you know all the notes on the A string, it’s time to practice!
Place your violin on your shoulder and carefully try to find each note on the A string.
If you are unsure if you are playing the note in tune, make sure to use my free online tuner to check your intonation.
As soon as you can play all the notes on the A string, you are well on your way to play your first beautiful songs on the violin.
