Music is the divine way to tell beautiful, poetic things to the heart.
Pablo Casals, Spanish cellist and composer
Taking music theory tutorials to learn more about the treble clef and rhythm, learning to read music, or simply learning how to play the violin, is always a good start. However, playing violin or the fiddle should always be fun!
Getting Started with the Violin
When you first start learning to play stringed instruments, it can be disheartening to learn music theory and techniques (such as holding the bow correctly and just tuning the thing!). Many students end up giving up long before they get anywhere near an orchestra because they don't pick the right songs for their level. When you start learning the violin for beginners, you'll see why it's one of the hardest instruments to learn.
Reading music can be difficult, and violin lessons can be plagued by complicated musical compositions. As a newbie, you need to find the best online violin lessons for beginners and the right teacher.
@sumina_studer how i get to know a violin 🎻 #classicalmusic #violin #music #instrument ♬ original sound - Sumina Studer
Everyone wants to have violin lessons near me that are both useful and fun, by learning their favorite violin music. Who said you couldn’t do just that?
From Jean-Jacques Goldman to Beethoven via Coldplay, there’s a huge range of artists and styles to help you with your violin playing. Even if the songs seem very difficult at first, plenty of arrangements allow beginners to play simplified versions of their favorite songs and teach themselves and there are plenty of easy violin songs that sound impressive if you find the right composer.
What are you waiting for? Every concert violin player has to start somewhere!
Check out violin lessons for children here.
Once you’ve mastered playing a given song, why not perform it for your friends? Ask for a second opinion and see if there are any parts you could improve upon. Even if they’re not musicians, their opinions can still be helpful to you and they should be able to tell if violin music for beginners is being played right. It’s often easier to be objective when you’re not judging yourself. Don’t forget that you can use criticism to improve.
If it turns out that you’ve perfectly mastered the song, what’s better than showing it off to an audience? It’s your chance to shine. While nursery rhymes might be fun, it’s unlikely that you’ll become famous from playing them.
When choosing music, make sure that you choose good violin pieces for your level. For example, if you're an absolute beginner, you want to avoid pieces with a lot of vibrato, pizzicato, or other intermediate and advanced techniques.
Classical Music for Violin Beginners
While it seems to be getting harder and harder to find young people interested in classical music, there are still people who much prefer it to genres such as rock and RnB. For those who enjoy this type of music, there are plenty of violin for beginners songs that you can learn.
Second Waltz - Shostakovich
Do you know this one? This song is the one that comes to mind whenever André Rieu’s name is mentioned. If you’re familiar with it, it’ll be easier to play. These notes are quite easy to remember and good for beginners to play.
Canon - Pachelbel
Even if classical music isn’t your thing, you’ll definitely have heard this one. It was famously played on electric violins in YouTube videos a few years ago (there were also versions on almost every single instrument known to man). Impress your friends by playing this well-known masterpiece. Goosebumps guaranteed!
Für Elise - Beethoven
Beethoven’s Für Elise isn’t just for pianists (or Elise). Violinists can also learn to play this beautiful song. Of course, your version will have to be more basic, but the notes making up the song are some of the simplest ones for budding musicians to learn.
Ode to Joy - Beethoven
This is one of the most iconic compositions in classical music. Ode to Joy is a perfect beginner's violin piece. It has a simple melody and repetitive structure and is easy to remember.
Students can use it to work on finger placement and smooth string transitions.
Practice playing this one with this tutorial.
Spring from The Four Seasons - Vivaldi
This beautifully structured piece is a lovely introduction to the baroque style. It has a lively and uplifting melody in short, repetitive phrases.
New players can easily learn this piece and practice improving their bow control and string crossings. As you get more confident, start integrating more sophisticated dynamics into your playing.
Minuet in G - Bach
With a steady rhythm and structured melody, this is great for your bowing technique and finger placement.
This piece has clear, repetitive phrases, which beginners can use to develop a sense of musical timing.
As you advance, you'll also have an opportunity to learn expressive dynamics, adding emotional depth to your playing. Use this piece to practice learning string crossings and precise finger placement through its structured melody.
Ave Maria - Schubert
This beautifully lyrical piece is excellent for developing expressive playing. With a slow tempo and flowing melody, you can practice smooth bowing and finger accuracy at your own piece.
If you want to learn legato bowing and practice clean transitions between strings, this piece is for you.
As you become comfortable with the melody, experiment with vibrato and dynamics. This will help bring out the piece's emotional richness.
Humoresque - Dvořák
This is a light-hearted and melodic piece that beginners will enjoy playing and using to perfect essential violin techniques.
It has a playful rhythm and flowing melody that you can use to practice your finger placement.
The moderate tempo is great for novice players, but quick enough to offer a satisfying musical experience. As you get better at it, highlight the playful character of the piece with expressive phrasing.
The great thing about classical music is that most of the greatest composers wrote pieces for beginner, intermediate, and advanced violinists, especially the virtuosos.
Rock Music for Violin
Classical music isn’t the only genre that makes use of the violin. With the advent of the electric violin, musicians have found new ways to play the instrument in recent years. This means that beginners can play a lot of contemporary music...
Check for violin lessons near me here.
Coldplay - Viva la Vida
Once again, you can find a tutorial for this on YouTube. With these video tutorials, you won’t need to master music theory since they’ll tell you where your fingers need to be at any given moment. Try it yourself!
Lindsey Stirling - Crystallize
Lindsey Stirling is a violin and dance expert. Not only does she cover the biggest hits on the violin, but she also composes her own original music. Crystallize, which came out in 2012, is one of her own pieces. While it may seem complicated at first glance, it can be played by beginners. Of course, it’d be easier to learn with a good tutor on Superprof.
Imagine - John Lennon
This is a great song to play on the piano and also beautifully transposes to the violin. Its slow, lyrical melody is great for tone production and smooth bowing techniques.
It's also easy to memorize so students can focus on finger placement and string crossings.
Sweet Child O' Mine - Guns N' Roses
This is another contemporary song, and the recognizable intro sounds surprisingly good on the violin.
It has a repetitive and engaging structure and is a nice gateway into playing different genres other than classical music on your violin.
Here's a great example of how great rock can sound on a violin.
Perfect - Ed Sheeran
Perfect by Ed Sheeran is another expressive and straightforward piece that sounds lovely on the violin.
Its smooth, lyrical melody is great for beginners and allows you to work on clean intonation and expressive bowing. The slow tempo allows you to focus on finger positioning and string transitions without going too quickly.
It's also a piece with room to grow as a violinist, with options to experiment with dynamics once you get comfortable.
French Music for Violin Beginners
To find a wealth of music for the violin you only need to look across the channel. There are plenty of French artists making use of this beautiful instrument. From Catherine Lara to Louise Attaque, there are plenty of beginner violin songs you should be adding to your violin playlist.
Various Songs - Debout sur le Zinc
Debout sur le Zinc is a French group that was founded in 1995. Inspired by a mix of rock and gypsy music, a lot of their songs have a violin part. While it’s hard to find video tutorials on YouTube, you can find violin sheet music or tablature for their songs.
Je t’emmène au vent - Louise Attaque
The second you listen to the song Je t’emmène au vent, you’ll want to pick up a violin. The song by Louise Attaque is an absolute tune and can be learnt by a beginner with the help of violin tabs or sheet music.
Nuit Magique - Catherine Lara
Catherine Lara is both a violinist and a singer. She learned the violin at a young age, but when her singing career took off, she never gave up playing the violin. Many of the singer’s songs, including Nuit Magique, feature her violin.
The French superstar Jean-Jacques Goldman released an album in 2001 called Chansons pour les pieds. This is a great collection of songs for violinists. The song Tournent les violons is where you should start.
La Vie en Rose - Édith Piaf
As one of Édith Piaf's most iconic songs, this has a smooth and beautiful melody that sounds great on the violin. With its legato phrasing, you can work on finger placement and focus on maintaining a steady tone on the longer notes.
Like other contemporary pieces, the song's repetitive structure makes it easier for beginners to learn, and its romantic nature lends itself naturally to dynamics and musical expression.
Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien - Édith Piaf
Another of Piaf's excellent songs is this one, which is fantastic on the violin.
With a bold and expressive melody, you can use it to practice dynamic control and emotional phrasing. With plenty of chances for expressive bowing, students can start exploring vibrato and the subtle shifts in dynamics.
Traditional Music for Violin
Are you interested in folk music from Ireland or Brittany? Folk music often includes violin parts and can get people moving.
Scottish Fougères
The tune Scottish Fougères is a great one for those who are new to the violin. While this piece is often played with a harmonica (and sounds great), you can adapt it for the violin. Again, you can find some good tabs or sheet music for this piece.
Amazing Grace
Who could forget Amazing Grace? While most famous for being played on the bagpipes, plenty of different versions exist. The once religious lyrics are more so a symbol of freedom and rights nowadays.
Danny Boy - Irish Traditional
While the song talks about pipes, you can play this on the violin. This timeless Irish folk song has a flowing melody and slow tempo.
Use it to create smooth, connected notes. With an emotional depth, there's always room for expressive dynamics and legato bowing techniques. Work on your finger placement and clean intonation.
Greensleeves - English Traditional
This traditional song, which was said to have been written by King Henry VIII of England, is a great one for budding violinists.
It's slow and lyrical, allowing you to work on finger placement. It's a familiar tune that's easy to memorize.
Soundtracks and Film Music for Violin
The music from films is often a good choice for budding violinists. Composers like John Williams and Hans Zimmer often try to create melodies that anyone can sing along to.
For those just starting out with the violin, there are plenty of beautiful pieces to choose from that will help improve your technique and are fun to play.
Mission Impossible
Who could forget the iconic theme from Mission Impossible?
The notes in the piece can be played by any musician on any instrument, whether on the guitar, piano, or violin.
Amélie
The soundtrack from Amélie is a favorite amongst those learning to play the piano. However, the melodies can also be played on the violin.
Game of Thrones
Few people on the planet wouldn’t be familiar with this music.
The Game of Thrones theme song has been covered plenty of times on the internet if you need inspiration. To make things easier, remember that this piece can be played on the two lowest strings of a violin. No need for finger gymnastics! Great for those wanting to take things slow.
Star Wars
Star Wars is one of those films whose theme can be learnt by beginners. Since it’s quite repetitive, you can learn it quite quickly.
Once you’ve mastered it, you could do the same as the two teenagers on John William’s lawn playing it. Maybe he’ll open his door to you.
My Heart Will Go On (Titanic)
A beautiful song from the movie Titanic, My Heart Will Go On, has a lyrical melody that transposes beautifully onto the violin.
Focus on the intonation and dynamics while you play and attempt to follow the swell of the piece's emotional intensity. Use the longer, flowing lines to practice smooth legato bowing.
Pirates of the Caribbean Theme Song
The Pirates of the Caribbean theme song is great if you want to explore more energetic and rhythmic playing as you start with the violin.
With a clear structure, repetitive phrases, and a memorable melody, this is accessible to newer players while offering a good challenge.
If it's too challenging initially, slow down the tempo until you master the finger positioning. As you get better, start gradually speeding up.
Here's a great version of it on the violin.
Hedwig's Theme (Harry Potter)
With its enchanting melody, Hedwig's Theme from the Harry Potter series offers a magical way for beginner violinists to start practicing smooth string crossing and expressive bowing.
Another piece with a repetitive structure where you can focus on clean intonation and accurate finger placement.
Explore dynamics and add depth and emotion to your performance as you get better at the piece.
Which genre do you enjoy playing on the violin the most?
Whether you want to learn the violin, cello, or any other string instrument, check out some online violin and music tutorials or contact a nearby tutor on Superprof! You'll improve with each lesson, and once you've mastered your violin scales, you'll even be able to improvize!
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