you are correct in all cases. Dont worry about looking and not looking - even though i play complicated music from memory, i still look where my fingers go as it gives me something to look at rather than the bloke 3 rows from the back!
Ever seen Rick Beato (check out his theory and film score videos), Adam Neely or Ben Levin? Some good info there too. I just discovered her because Im thinking about starting violin.
For those wondering if the sticker leaves a residue, it doesn't. I had my don't fret sticker on for a few months and recently took it off. My violin looks untouched. Also, from personal experience it helped but I often felt I was becoming too dependant on it and wasn't really learning how to play by ear and finger placement. It does help learn the basics and playing with it will eventually help you recognize some of the notes so when you decide to remove it or replace it with stickers on for the first and 3rd finger it is easier to play without constantly looking to see if you're on the fret line.
I have a tip to share. After watching Alison's video on stickers and 'don't fret' tape, I found a roll of blue painter's tape in my odds 'n ends drawer; I cut it into thin strips and used it to wrap around the neck of the fingerboard at both 1st finger and 3rd finger positions. Painter's tape sticks well but is also very easy to re-position or remove. It works great!
Thank you miss ma'am! I have been looking for something like this. I took fiddle (you know us Texans can't call it a violin) lessons when I was younger and decided to start fiddlin' around again. This was great to get my fingers re-trained to their proper places. Keep up the good work!
I am very impressed with the product. Nervous at first (because its new and nobody uses or knows about it) but all my 29 string students use them. They now place fingers correctly making it sound in tune, after about a year, some start taking it off because they have learnt the fingering and it does not leave a residue. Hope that helps.
Hi Alison, I've recently removed my finger markers and I'm happy to say I'm still able to find all the notes, So thank you for all the help :) However, I did notice that im still looking at the fingerboard/bridge alot (depending on wheter im focussing on my bowing/fingering) Is that something you would advise against? Most violinists always seem to look away from their violin or even play with their eyes closed, but im not sure if that is something that comes with experience or is it trained?
Hi Alison, You have demystified the violin for me, thank you. I was interested to see people wanting to move from guitar to violin. I play guitar and mandolin, and the mandolin gives me the finger positions perfectly. To help with intonation, I clipped a tuner on the fingerboard and I can see, and check the notes I play, hope this may help some people.
Thank you so much! Getting the Don't fret stickers made it so much easier to find the notes. It wasn't easy to put on with the strings on.. But I did get it by going very slow and being careful. Anyone can do it if I can.
OMG I can't believe you replied to my comment😍 in the other video (learning violin under one hour) i love you so much 💜💜 You inspired me to play violin I just bought a one yesterday I want to be like you and play the violin like you one day.. it's a Dream for me I'm watching your videos every single day.. you are helping me a lot Thank you so much for all the effort and the hard work you do everyday in order to teach us this beautiful musical instrument. And about the link i think the error is from my phone sorry. I love youuu🎻💜
the fingers should be almost bang on in line with each other - i wonder whether you are thinking about an F natural on the E string which is right next door to the nut? An F# would be in line with the note of B on the A string, E on the D string and A on the G string (all with 1st finger) Does that help/make sense???
I love your videos. They have been great for me since I am finally going to be picking up the violin again for the first time since 2006 when i was in middle school. it was one of my favorite things then and it was one thing back then that made me truly happy. Thank you for making this channel and these videos.
I'm 34, been playing guitar since I was 11. Picked up some banjo and mandolin skills along the way. Losing frets and repositioning the instrument really threw me off. And that's not to even mention having to learn to bow. The don't fret sticker helped tremendously in the first few days of playing. I kept a snark tuner on the headstock, because even with the markers, my fat fingers still weren't always dead on. Only took a couple of days to develop the feel and ear for where to put my fingers.
the first white line before the yellow is for a back 1st finger, so for example on the A string, you will get a Bb. the 2nd white is for a back 2nd finger so it will give you a C natural on the A string for example. Hope that makes sense.
Yes thank you. I got it figured out. The bridge was cracked and tilted way forward. I replaced the bridge and kept it straight and everything works and sounds great! Thanks. Your lessons are great! My girlfriend has been learning a lot from your videos! If you could post a video on how to solo on the violin by using scales as a basis for knowing how to put those scales to use in actual music. she is trying to play some country music and bluegrass but dont really know where to start. Thanks.
Kudos for your suggestion. I started out as an organ player, then switched to guitar. Your tip enabled me to play cello with minimal incident. Kudos!!!!!
YES Thats a great idea - that way you can achieve what I do with my students (one dot) but without having to actually have the whole Dont Fret sticker on your violin! Great idea and thanks for sharing! Alison
bought a don't fret marker for my violin , very easy to fit providing you get correct size for your violin (3/4,4/4)etc.very easy to place fingers without worrying too much.
I have one Alison, but they are a pain to it straight. After much grumbling I did manage to get it in the right place. I started sat the top so to be sure it was in the right position and then peeled the backing off behind the sticker, but I still hadn't got it properly straight, that's when the fiddling starts , as you pull it back from the bottom, just to be difficult one corner stuck lightly to a string, not what I wanted, so then had to gently remove from there. Gradually after quite a few frustrating peel backs I got it in place. But it isn't easy. I would suggest in hindsight that if you aren't very dexterous to ask your friendly music shop to help you , that way it is definitely done as it should be. I paid £2.95 for mine off the Internet from a well known book and music store, not sure if I should have given the name. Sue Hunt
I used the little foil stars on an upright bass (I had one between 2005-2008). Took a guitar tuner and found various notes on the fingerboard and stuck the stars on the side of it.
I would tend to agree - i like to use stickers to help with intonation, but not leave them on any longer than necessary. I know its controversial to use stickers and I know not all teachers will like them, but I like using them and they dont do any harm if not left on too long. It helps with intonation and learning the correct note in the first place as we cant all be perlman and menuin etc etc
perhaps they need to come off, but...you could always get those little 'dot' stickers or like those little starts you got school for good work, use the dont Fret as a guide and stick a little dot or star in the correct place. I use dots as they are easier to come off as i dont want one of those Dont Fret stickers on my violin all the time of course! :)
I'm stationed in South Korea and am starting the violin. I was wondering if there was a way I could get one of these ordered and shipped out here? I can read sheet music fairly well and having something like this would really help propel my learning forward.
Hi, There could be a number of problems. Is the violin you have full size (4/4)? Are you sure you are tuning the violin correctly to the correct notes? Are you sure you have put the dont fret on correctly? You could take a photo and post on m Facebook page (The Online Piano Tutor please) and I can at least see if anything looks strange? You may have to take it to a shop and see if they can help as its prob something I could sort if i had a look at it in person, but difficult from afar.
Just got a fiddle today and I like the idea of the stickers but I also play mandolin, and mandolins and fiddles are tuned the same so I'm gonna use my instincts to tell me where to place my fingers, and hey, you ever thought of doing some bluegrass vids? That's the route I'm hoping to take, so you know.
I use something called Fretless Finger Guides. It's a lot like the No Fret but they actually have the names of the notes. Natural notes are colored dots with letters in them. Sharps and fats are boxes made of two triangles, the colors of the nearest natural notes. And It's not a sticker. It's a sheet of vinyl, like the Xmas decorations you put in your windows. I like that. You can restick it if you didn't align it perfectly the first time or transfer it to another violin if (like me) you spent $50 on a violin and you're already ready to upgrade.
When you actually want to apply the sticker, do you need to take off the strings for that, or can you just slide the sticker beneath the strings as you just demonstrated? Finally a tool to make more guitarists pick up the violin... 😜
Hi alison! I was wondering if you could do a video on the tone and fingerings specifically for the 3rd position? I'm having trouble in learning the 3rd position.
I like to use the stickers personally. I understand what the other teachers say, but if you dont know where to put your finger in the first place, how can you learn & understand where the fingers should actually go? I think as long as you dont leave them on too long, then the damage is not done. If your ear learns the sound of where the fingers go, when you remove the stickers, your ear can carry on from there. Without the stickers, one cannot learn correctly in the first place. My opinion.
....or...I you guys know im a teacher and have 27 years worth of playing the violin and if i did need a Dont Fret sticker, then you lot would all be in trouble :))
Best I love the you explain the basic, mostly they just go straight to ,rush to sounds nd etc, as a beginner ,you have teaching characteristics ,thanks
Just got one of these - but they make a version that stops after the fourth finger, so I got that one. Excited to put it on as the tape I used would shift and make pitching things right really hard
hmm not sure as im in the UK, its hard to find places on the internet as i cant always access the same sites as you as Google wont let me? Does that make sense? perhaps im being dim, but Google wont let me see any Singapore shops as im not in singapore. I know that doesnt help you at all, but if you googled it your end, you may have more luck than me. Sorry....Alison
so i just bought my Violin today wand i cant wait for it to come in really nice thanks for the Info on that stuff really is going to help me and when i get those both in i will tell you how it helped me lol Thanks again
Is it possible to use a tuner to put the dot on the fret board because I am unable to buy or order things online so its great if I can use things to hand, such as my tuner.
Which one should I use for Fiddlerman Concert Violin; 1- 14 cm? 2- 20 cm? I tried to find the dimensions of my violin, but I could not... I appreciate your assistance!
im honestly not sure - i would assume it will come off ok if removed carefully as its designed to be stuck on, so im assuming it should be ok to come off?
I have this - and its very helpful - I also have the finger placements with letters, too... I got that other with letters - because I thought it may help - but no one says A-D, etc on the G string... It's always finger 1 on G. But I put and kept it on, anyway...
I love your accent thanks for helping all people how to play I love your hair I ment to tell you that on your videos,I can't find the first one you made what is it called first step on your violin
You mentioned using dots for marking notes and I'm looking, but have not found anything like that. They're all the entire fingerboard. I know it's been a long time, but do you know of any note dot stickers on the market? I'm thinking I'm just going to have to cut them out of the fingerboard. Maybe use a hole punch.. I just only want a few of them that I'm struggling to get back and the straight strip always bothered me when I was learning the first time because the notes are not straight across. TIA
This video should help with the placement, and there are links under it: ua-cam.com/video/jWNvCJlOl-M/v-deo.html I cant find any links for US amazon for some reason, but you need 8mm or 1/4" in size.
Used to play violin back in secondary school but quit to focus on my A levels, decided to take it back up as a hobby while at uni but realised I completely forgot where my fingers went, good thing I found this otherwise I'd be stuck with guess work
I may be getting a mendini mv300 violin in about a month (this will be my first experience with violins), and am seriously considering buying this product in advance to help me out. I'm assuming since the violin im looking at is 67ish dollars, that the fret board is painted (I'm on a budget). Will the adhesive rip said paint off? I was also wondering if my experience with ukulele, guitar, and piano will give me an upper hand in learning the violin slightly quicker, as i already have a deal of finger/hand dexterity. Thankyou in advance for the answers, and have a wonderful day! :) [p.s. sorry for the long comment!]
I had the same problem, the most practical solution (if you cannot afford a teacher) is to use a tuner. I have an app for my phone for that purpose (it's called gStrings). It's very easy to use and it will help you to train your ear quickly.
Is it better to remove the strings before adding the sticker? Wondering whether I could just cut something like that to size, and tape the edges to the underside of the fingerboard (on the wood of the handle). I just ordered a variant on this one and really only want it on my violin until I memorize the finger positions.
@@TheOnlineViolinTutor I have seen this video, I'll see what I can do when the sticker I ordered arrives. Thanks for the link, though, I'll rewatch this. :)
Instead of placing markers I'm just using a clip-on chromatic tuner so I know when I'm playing the right exact notes. I find it much more educational, since that allows me to focus on the sound I'm producing, instead of automatically putting my fingers on the lines. But since I haven't seen anyone suggest this method I wonder if there's something wrong with it (Sure it's more expensive, but you're going to need a tuner at hand anyway)
These stickers are awesome for beginners just like myself. I am new to violin, and I was shocked when I knew that the bridge is actually free to move and not glued or fixed to the body. This means that the string length can be different from one violin to the other. I got myself a guide like that, and I noticed that it is out of tune although I installed it perfectly. Searching around I found that it is used for 330mm string length will mine was less than that...and I noticed your guide has a note saying 325mm...my question to you is whether there is a standard length that I should be looking for. (I placed the bridge in a good position but the bridge itself has thickness and there is a few millimeters tolerance of where aligned to the notch in the "f" note is the bridge positioned. Regards,
+barhoom90 you position the bridge in the middle of the f holes. There are tons and tons of videos on UA-cam telling you how to position the bridge - take a quick look at some of them as they will show you rather than me trying to explain in words here :)
I have seen many videos regarding that issue, the thing is all of them eventually say the same thing, which is positioning the bridge in the middle of the f holes, but nothing is said about the final "correct" length of the strings, that should be achieved (at least is violin maker is a decent one). Having said that, I believe that every different violin you play will have its notes positioned slightly different on the fingerboard than the other. I believe you would have experience in that because I have only tried one violin. Thanks,
I bought the sticker like you recommended. Question: You said the yellow line is 1st position, so what is the white line above it and the other white line below it?
really thanks for these informations ... i just bought a eastern violin .. start to learn by my self .. is there a different in the fretless finger stickers between eastern and western violin and the different in the notes in general .. thanks
Well thats up to you and your budget. Generally speaking, the more you spend the better the violin will be. Basically you have 2 options: 1. Buy cheap, and save yourself cash - if and when you decide to give up after 6 months, BUT you will be playing on a piece of crap and therefore more likely to give up because it looks, feels and all sounds like crap in general.... OR 2. Buy something a little better that looks, feels and sounds much better and smoother etc etc and is more of a pleasure to play and therefore you are less likely to give up. If you go for option 2, I can personally recommend the Cecilio CVN300 or the Stentor II.
Ebay is a great suggestion. If you weren't able to order it there though, you could always use a mail forwarding service from a country with an online music store that sells "Don't Fret" stickers.
Hello Alison, my name is Karl and I am a guitarist/Mandolin player. I have been trying to teach my girlfriend how to play the fiddle/Violin. She enjoys her electric fiddle but I bought one of these dont fret tapes and I tune the fiddle but the notes are not quite right. all of the notes are off and i got the 4/4 one. The wooden bridge on the fiddle is not standing straight up and down it is tilted forward a little bit. Would that be the cause of this or something else?
I'm having a bit of trouble. I used automotive stripes as a "makeshift fret". I tuned it via plucking along with the tuner that came with it. I tried bowing and tuning to see if that made a difference as well. No issues there. When I placed the stripes, the E string is flat on the F#, and randomly sharp and flat after that. I'm a tradesman, so I know the stripes are parallel.
I would suggest you use those little tiny dots and have one placed in the middle of the fingerboard (between the middle two strings) where the 1st and 3rd finger goes. Having all these frets in my opinion, is not great and you don't need them if you have the 1st and 3rd finger placements. Because the lines are not perfectly straight, this is where these fret stickers come unstuck (no pun intended!).
why dont you get Dont Fret, then use that as a marker to put some little dots on like i sometimes have on my violin as they are super easy to remove - especially if you are worried about messing up a rental? I hear from others who have commented under this vides, that its exactly what they have done successfully.
I take it you would either have to slacken the strings off, or remove them to be able to stick this easily to your violin neck? You mentioned you didn't want to stick it on your Violin as you wouldn't get it off. Is it hard to remove afterwards in the future?
Well I wouldn't stick it to my personal violin as my violin is worth several thousand with a pur ebony fingerboard. Its not going to damage anything or that hard to get off, but to be honest, i would only put on a 1st finger dot and 3rd: ua-cam.com/video/g9O814LUhTo/v-deo.html This video is super old now and I no longer really recommend this.
The first tape would be equivalent to a guitar's second fret. If you have the high e string, which both guitar and fiddle have on their right, then you have a "fis" (german) on the second fret, but your "fis" on the first tape for the fiddle. So you just have tape's for every secnd fret and still have to search for the notes in between. Using a chromatic tuner can help you find your notes.
Haha, I'm already in trouble. I made the mistake of assuming a little guitar experience would parlay into learning the violin overnight. So far it seems more akin to singing than fretted stringed instruments. BTW, 27 years of experience is not only impressive, but shocking. I just assumed (justifiably) that you were younger than me (under 26). Glad to know us subscribers are in very capable hands. Thanks for all the in-depth video lessons! I have some catching up to do.
Its just the backing thats white. The sticker itself is mostly clear. The colored lines are mainly the next whole note up. The space between lines are the half notes in between.
Well, I went and picked on of these Don't Fret things up today. Kind of a pain to put on, and it's quite hideous, however, it's brilliant for its purpose. I used the whole thing.
Hello Allison, Me and the missus (Denmark) is having a bash at playing the violin :-) Thanks to you and your 1-30 lessens, we are well on our way. We have those stickers in Denmark, so i´ll be ordering one today. when we get to lessen 10 and need to order the book 1, is it possible to get it sent here?? Well basicly, just want to say thanks for the opportunity to learn to play an instrument and that there is no online danish tutorials on you tube!! unbelievable... Thanks, Antony
Hi, great vid, didn't quite end up getting the same one, found something called a "D'addario tactile fingerboard" at my local music shop, which makes it feel similar to playing a guitar with actual frets.
I play banjo and guitar, and I recently bought a violin at a garage sale. Your videos have been super! Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Oh and...WOW! do you look pretty with your hair back, it shows your jaw line nicely!
I'm a totally beginner. Now I'm still using some kind of stickers like that, obviously, but I'm...like... bad at feeling, or recognizing, the notes by ears. I'm afraid that I will play the wrong note at some point w/o even knowing, and then later can't change my habit. That would be very bad. So can you please tell me some way to improve the ability of recognizing the notes by ears? I've tried to listen to them again and again, but it's still quite hard to remember. Again, thank you so much. Your lessons are not only helpful, understandable and easy to follow but also very inspirational!! I feel somehow less stressful and anxious now!
Thank you! But I can't find this kind of finger stickers anywhere near my place, so if somehow the recent stickers fell off, what could I do to find the right places to put my fingers again?
Yes you count them exactly like a guitar. There are some white tapes on the sticker that are not clear in the video and you should count them too. The difference is that instead of finding the next string on the 5th fret like a guitar, it's on the 7th one (orange in the video).
I'm currently using a loaner violin for the next couple of months and would love to use these, but I'm afraid of getting them stuck on a violin I don't own. Does anyone know about removing these or is there a better alternative then this guide for that?
you just have to take them off and try to keep in tune as best you can. So when you were using them, you should by now know the sound of the notes pretty well and the pieces you have been playing too so that when they are off, you can still match those sounds. Its probably easier done then said.
Dear Alison. I have few problems i encountered when i tried to put the first finger mark stickers. The first, is When i have tuned my violin correctly for open strings of G, D, A and E i tried find the exact place where it will sound A, E , B and F respectively. When i had put the stickers i found my A,E and B being in the correct spot but the try to play E open string it is tuned correct and when i put my finger on E String at the sticker spot it shows F# in my tuner. What could have been wrong. please advise. Secondly, my sticker spots where it shows A, E, B and F#, they are not exactly at 36mm but much lower than that, i would say it is around 30mm. When i checked at 36mm spot it shows B,F C and G (no sharps. Please let me know where i am doing the mistakes. Thanks a ton.
As soon as possible really. You could take it off now and just put a little dot sticker where the 1st and 3rd finger goes like I do in all my tutorial videos.
I have sussed it out , when you position the don't fret , on the fingerboard of a 4/4 violin , the distance from the nut to the bridge must be 325mm exactly and on my 4/4 cello 685mm , so if the bridge is positioned between the notches on the f-holes , then it should be spot-on.
You are good with your words but you should hear Jason Carter. He and Stuart Duncan are bluegrass's Menuhin and Paganini, and they are my faves (mostly Jason, though)
Hi Alison, I have a dilemma that I could use some help with. I just ordered my violin, and with it I bought this don't fret tape, but when I received it, it said it was for a 3/4 violin. My violin is 4/4, but does it matter? Are the neck lengths all the same? I tried googling to, but to no avail, please help!!!! (and btw, huge fan, you're amazing!!! ;)
I use the violin for scales to get the intonation . My only concern is that a violin is an expressive instrument. I feel like learning violin with out feeling is a handicap?
hey, I'm using these stickers at the moment. I was wondering at what level you should take them of and play by ear? Im currently following your lessons, about to start song book one after lesson 1-10
+Usman Mir At the time , I didnt have a spare violin to do this on, only my antique violin and for 3 reasons I didnt do this: 1, im sure you can all imagine what something stuck on it going to be/look like. 2. I didnt want to mess with my VERY expensive violin which leads on to point 3. i would have to take it off the moment i finished filming, which people buying this wont do for a good while.
+The Online Piano and Violin Tutor Sorry I meant to suggest this as another solution to actually sticking something on the violin. if you place it under like you showed but not actually stick it on you could see where to mark the frets on the strings and then remove the thing. like using it like a ruler
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
you are correct in all cases. Dont worry about looking and not looking - even though i play complicated music from memory, i still look where my fingers go as it gives me something to look at rather than the bloke 3 rows from the back!
I think she should get the Nobel Peace prize for her work in humanaties. she is the mother Teresa of music!
thanks for websote that she found
Ever seen Rick Beato (check out his theory and film score videos), Adam Neely or Ben Levin? Some good info there too. I just discovered her because Im thinking about starting violin.
For those wondering if the sticker leaves a residue, it doesn't. I had my don't fret sticker on for a few months and recently took it off. My violin looks untouched. Also, from personal experience it helped but I often felt I was becoming too dependant on it and wasn't really learning how to play by ear and finger placement. It does help learn the basics and playing with it will eventually help you recognize some of the notes so when you decide to remove it or replace it with stickers on for the first and 3rd finger it is easier to play without constantly looking to see if you're on the fret line.
+Caroline Hernandez thanks for the advice I was scared it would make a mark, but as soon as I read your comment it helped me straight away, thanks
wonderful!
I have a tip to share. After watching Alison's video on stickers and 'don't fret' tape, I found a roll of blue painter's tape in my odds 'n ends drawer; I cut it into thin strips and used it to wrap around the neck of the fingerboard at both 1st finger and 3rd finger positions. Painter's tape sticks well but is also very easy to re-position or remove. It works great!
Thank you miss ma'am! I have been looking for something like this. I took fiddle (you know us Texans can't call it a violin) lessons when I was younger and decided to start fiddlin' around again. This was great to get my fingers re-trained to their proper places. Keep up the good work!
You're UA-cam's violin goddess in teaching.
I am very impressed with the product. Nervous at first (because its new and nobody uses or knows about it) but all my 29 string students use them.
They now place fingers correctly making it sound in tune, after about a year, some start taking it off because they have learnt the fingering and it does not leave a residue.
Hope that helps.
Hi Alison, I've recently removed my finger markers and I'm happy to say I'm still able to find all the notes, So thank you for all the help :) However, I did notice that im still looking at the fingerboard/bridge alot (depending on wheter im focussing on my bowing/fingering) Is that something you would advise against? Most violinists always seem to look away from their violin or even play with their eyes closed, but im not sure if that is something that comes with experience or is it trained?
Hi Alison, You have demystified the violin for me, thank you. I was interested to see people wanting to move from guitar to violin. I play guitar and mandolin, and the mandolin gives me the finger positions perfectly. To help with intonation, I clipped a tuner on the fingerboard and I can see, and check the notes I play, hope this may help some people.
Beautifully explained. Now I can play the violin in the best way possible.
Thank you so much! Getting the Don't fret stickers made it so much easier to find the notes. It wasn't easy to put on with the strings on.. But I did get it by going very slow and being careful. Anyone can do it if I can.
OMG I can't believe you replied to my comment😍 in the other video (learning violin under one hour) i love you so much 💜💜
You inspired me to play violin
I just bought a one yesterday
I want to be like you and play the violin like you one day.. it's a Dream for me
I'm watching your videos every single day.. you are helping me a lot
Thank you so much for all the effort and the hard work you do everyday in order to teach us this beautiful musical instrument.
And about the link i think the error is from my phone sorry. I love youuu🎻💜
the fingers should be almost bang on in line with each other - i wonder whether you are thinking about an F natural on the E string which is right next door to the nut? An F# would be in line with the note of B on the A string, E on the D string and A on the G string (all with 1st finger)
Does that help/make sense???
I love your videos. They have been great for me since I am finally going to be picking up the violin again for the first time since 2006 when i was in middle school. it was one of my favorite things then and it was one thing back then that made me truly happy. Thank you for making this channel and these videos.
I'm 34, been playing guitar since I was 11. Picked up some banjo and mandolin skills along the way. Losing frets and repositioning the instrument really threw me off. And that's not to even mention having to learn to bow. The don't fret sticker helped tremendously in the first few days of playing. I kept a snark tuner on the headstock, because even with the markers, my fat fingers still weren't always dead on. Only took a couple of days to develop the feel and ear for where to put my fingers.
I'm french but I love your videos. I don't understand all but that's not a problem because I see all. Thank you verry much!
the first white line before the yellow is for a back 1st finger, so for example on the A string, you will get a Bb. the 2nd white is for a back 2nd finger so it will give you a C natural on the A string for example. Hope that makes sense.
When you read viola on the sticker and remember TwoSetViolin...
AMAZING
I play viola and watch twoset as well
I know yeah I love those guys ... is it a actual instrument
Haha I almost bought the viola sticker for my violin. First I though was oo two set will laugh at me but violin sticker 9 99 viola 3 99 what's this
GO PRACTICE
Yes thank you. I got it figured out. The bridge was cracked and tilted way forward. I replaced the bridge and kept it straight and everything works and sounds great! Thanks. Your lessons are great! My girlfriend has been learning a lot from your videos! If you could post a video on how to solo on the violin by using scales as a basis for knowing how to put those scales to use in actual music. she is trying to play some country music and bluegrass but dont really know where to start. Thanks.
Kudos for your suggestion. I started out as an organ player, then switched to guitar. Your tip enabled me to play cello with minimal incident. Kudos!!!!!
YES Thats a great idea - that way you can achieve what I do with my students (one dot) but without having to actually have the whole Dont Fret sticker on your violin! Great idea and thanks for sharing! Alison
bought a don't fret marker for my violin , very easy to fit providing you get correct size for your violin (3/4,4/4)etc.very easy to place fingers without worrying too much.
I have one Alison, but they are a pain to it straight. After much grumbling I did manage to get it in the right place. I started sat the top so to be sure it was in the right position and then peeled the backing off behind the sticker, but I still hadn't got it properly straight, that's when the fiddling starts , as you pull it back from the bottom, just to be difficult one corner stuck lightly to a string, not what I wanted, so then had to gently remove from there. Gradually after quite a few frustrating peel backs I got it in place. But it isn't easy. I would suggest in hindsight that if you aren't very dexterous to ask your friendly music shop to help you , that way it is definitely done as it should be. I paid £2.95 for mine off the Internet from a well known book and music store, not sure if I should have given the name.
Sue Hunt
I used the little foil stars on an upright bass (I had one between 2005-2008). Took a guitar tuner and found various notes on the fingerboard and stuck the stars on the side of it.
I would tend to agree - i like to use stickers to help with intonation, but not leave them on any longer than necessary. I know its controversial to use stickers and I know not all teachers will like them, but I like using them and they dont do any harm if not left on too long.
It helps with intonation and learning the correct note in the first place as we cant all be perlman and menuin etc etc
perhaps they need to come off, but...you could always get those little 'dot' stickers or like those little starts you got school for good work, use the dont Fret as a guide and stick a little dot or star in the correct place. I use dots as they are easier to come off as i dont want one of those Dont Fret stickers on my violin all the time of course! :)
I'm stationed in South Korea and am starting the violin. I was wondering if there was a way I could get one of these ordered and shipped out here? I can read sheet music fairly well and having something like this would really help propel my learning forward.
Hiya Alison
isn't there a different stick on fingerboard with RAISED 'FRETS' available ?
is that something you'd recommend for beginners ?
Hi, There could be a number of problems. Is the violin you have full size (4/4)? Are you sure you are tuning the violin correctly to the correct notes? Are you sure you have put the dont fret on correctly? You could take a photo and post on m Facebook page (The Online Piano Tutor please) and I can at least see if anything looks strange? You may have to take it to a shop and see if they can help as its prob something I could sort if i had a look at it in person, but difficult from afar.
Just got a fiddle today and I like the idea of the stickers but I also play mandolin, and mandolins and fiddles are tuned the same so I'm gonna use my instincts to tell me where to place my fingers, and hey, you ever thought of doing some bluegrass vids? That's the route I'm hoping to take, so you know.
You are a great teacher. I just found your videos this past week😊
I use something called Fretless Finger Guides. It's a lot like the No Fret but they actually have the names of the notes. Natural notes are colored dots with letters in them. Sharps and fats are boxes made of two triangles, the colors of the nearest natural notes. And It's not a sticker. It's a sheet of vinyl, like the Xmas decorations you put in your windows. I like that. You can restick it if you didn't align it perfectly the first time or transfer it to another violin if (like me) you spent $50 on a violin and you're already ready to upgrade.
I have a carina brand. Is that good enough to start learning? As I progress,should I buy a different violin?
When you actually want to apply the sticker, do you need to take off the strings for that, or can you just slide the sticker beneath the strings as you just demonstrated?
Finally a tool to make more guitarists pick up the violin... 😜
No, just go very slowly.
Hi alison! I was wondering if you could do a video on the tone and fingerings specifically for the 3rd position? I'm having trouble in learning the 3rd position.
I like to use the stickers personally. I understand what the other teachers say, but if you dont know where to put your finger in the first place, how can you learn & understand where the fingers should actually go? I think as long as you dont leave them on too long, then the damage is not done. If your ear learns the sound of where the fingers go, when you remove the stickers, your ear can carry on from there. Without the stickers, one cannot learn correctly in the first place. My opinion.
....or...I you guys know im a teacher and have 27 years worth of playing the violin and if i did need a Dont Fret sticker, then you lot would all be in trouble :))
Best I love the you explain the basic, mostly they just go straight to ,rush to sounds nd etc, as a beginner ,you have teaching characteristics ,thanks
Just got one of these - but they make a version that stops after the fourth finger, so I got that one. Excited to put it on as the tape I used would shift and make pitching things right really hard
So do you have to remove your strings to put these on? Seems like it would be hard to put a sticker under the strings
Alison, what is the website for purchasing the "Don't Fret" stickers". Thanks.
David Mendoza its under the video
hmm not sure as im in the UK, its hard to find places on the internet as i cant always access the same sites as you as Google wont let me? Does that make sense?
perhaps im being dim, but Google wont let me see any Singapore shops as im not in singapore. I know that doesnt help you at all, but if you googled it your end, you may have more luck than me. Sorry....Alison
so i just bought my Violin today wand i cant wait for it to come in really nice thanks for the Info on that stuff really is going to help me and when i get those both in i will tell you how it helped me lol Thanks again
Is it possible to use a tuner to put the dot on the fret board because I am unable to buy or order things online so its great if I can use things to hand, such as my tuner.
Rachel E dont see why not.
Which one should I use for Fiddlerman Concert Violin;
1- 14 cm?
2- 20 cm?
I tried to find the dimensions of my violin, but I could not...
I appreciate your assistance!
im honestly not sure - i would assume it will come off ok if removed carefully as its designed to be stuck on, so im assuming it should be ok to come off?
its in the POSITIONS playlist on my channel page.
Very good way for beginner. I watch your video and today i bought a violin.
Alison, what kind of rosin do you use that has the gold flakes in it??
Pirastro goldflex. Im not that keen in it personally as I find it very scratchy.
what do you recommend?
Have you seen this: ua-cam.com/video/_9FEGp0sCNM/v-deo.html
no, but I will now, lol, thanks!
What is the name of the music you start/end your videos. Love it. It grows on me.
I have this - and its very helpful - I also have the finger placements with letters, too... I got that other with letters - because I thought it may help - but no one says A-D, etc on the G string... It's always finger 1 on G. But I put and kept it on, anyway...
I love your accent thanks for helping all people how to play I love your hair I ment to tell you that on your videos,I can't find the first one you made what is it called first step on your violin
April Nevels @88G0O5unNuQ
That is cool
You mentioned using dots for marking notes and I'm looking, but have not found anything like that. They're all the entire fingerboard. I know it's been a long time, but do you know of any note dot stickers on the market? I'm thinking I'm just going to have to cut them out of the fingerboard. Maybe use a hole punch.. I just only want a few of them that I'm struggling to get back and the straight strip always bothered me when I was learning the first time because the notes are not straight across. TIA
This video should help with the placement, and there are links under it: ua-cam.com/video/jWNvCJlOl-M/v-deo.html
I cant find any links for US amazon for some reason, but you need 8mm or 1/4" in size.
Used to play violin back in secondary school but quit to focus on my A levels, decided to take it back up as a hobby while at uni but realised I completely forgot where my fingers went, good thing I found this otherwise I'd be stuck with guess work
I may be getting a mendini mv300 violin in about a month (this will be my first experience with violins), and am seriously considering buying this product in advance to help me out. I'm assuming since the violin im looking at is 67ish dollars, that the fret board is painted (I'm on a budget). Will the adhesive rip said paint off? I was also wondering if my experience with ukulele, guitar, and piano will give me an upper hand in learning the violin slightly quicker, as i already have a deal of finger/hand dexterity. Thankyou in advance for the answers, and have a wonderful day! :)
[p.s. sorry for the long comment!]
I had the same problem, the most practical solution (if you cannot afford a teacher) is to use a tuner. I have an app for my phone for that purpose (it's called gStrings). It's very easy to use and it will help you to train your ear quickly.
Cannot find Finger stickers in RSA. Amazon does to send to Africa.
Thanks, we will work a plan. Love your violin tuition
Can you do a video to teach how to play with the dots or lines above the notes on a violin. I believe they are called sticky notes or smooth notes.
Is it better to remove the strings before adding the sticker? Wondering whether I could just cut something like that to size, and tape the edges to the underside of the fingerboard (on the wood of the handle). I just ordered a variant on this one and really only want it on my violin until I memorize the finger positions.
ua-cam.com/video/g9O814LUhTo/v-deo.html
@@TheOnlineViolinTutor I have seen this video, I'll see what I can do when the sticker I ordered arrives. Thanks for the link, though, I'll rewatch this. :)
Instead of placing markers I'm just using a clip-on chromatic tuner so I know when I'm playing the right exact notes. I find it much more educational, since that allows me to focus on the sound I'm producing, instead of automatically putting my fingers on the lines.
But since I haven't seen anyone suggest this method I wonder if there's something wrong with it (Sure it's more expensive, but you're going to need a tuner at hand anyway)
These stickers are awesome for beginners just like myself. I am new to violin, and I was shocked when I knew that the bridge is actually free to move and not glued or fixed to the body. This means that the string length can be different from one violin to the other. I got myself a guide like that, and I noticed that it is out of tune although I installed it perfectly. Searching around
I found that it is used for 330mm string length will mine was less than that...and I noticed your guide has a note saying 325mm...my question to you is whether there is a standard length that I should be looking for. (I placed the bridge in a good position but the bridge itself has thickness and there is a few millimeters tolerance of where aligned to the notch in the "f" note is the bridge positioned.
Regards,
+barhoom90 you position the bridge in the middle of the f holes. There are tons and tons of videos on UA-cam telling you how to position the bridge - take a quick look at some of them as they will show you rather than me trying to explain in words here :)
I have seen many videos regarding that issue, the thing is all of them eventually say the same thing, which is positioning the bridge in the middle of the f holes, but nothing is said about the final "correct" length of the strings, that should be achieved (at least is violin maker is a decent one).
Having said that, I believe that every different violin you play will have its notes positioned slightly different on the fingerboard than the other. I believe you would have experience in that because I have only tried one violin.
Thanks,
I bought the sticker like you recommended. Question: You said the yellow line is 1st position, so what is the white line above it and the other white line below it?
really thanks for these informations ... i just bought a eastern violin .. start to learn by my self .. is there a different in the fretless finger stickers between eastern and western violin and the different in the notes in general .. thanks
Honestly, I dont know the answer to that. Ask Google.....
Well thats up to you and your budget. Generally speaking, the more you spend the better the violin will be.
Basically you have 2 options:
1. Buy cheap, and save yourself cash - if and when you decide to give up after 6 months, BUT you will be playing on a piece of crap and therefore more likely to give up because it looks, feels and all sounds like crap in general.... OR
2. Buy something a little better that looks, feels and sounds much better and smoother etc etc and is more of a pleasure to play and therefore you are less likely to give up.
If you go for option 2, I can personally recommend the Cecilio CVN300 or the Stentor II.
Ebay is a great suggestion. If you weren't able to order it there though, you could always use a mail forwarding service from a country with an online music store that sells "Don't Fret" stickers.
Hello Alison, my name is Karl and I am a guitarist/Mandolin player. I have been trying to teach my girlfriend how to play the fiddle/Violin. She enjoys her electric fiddle but I bought one of these dont fret tapes and I tune the fiddle but the notes are not quite right. all of the notes are off and i got the 4/4 one. The wooden bridge on the fiddle is not standing straight up and down it is tilted forward a little bit. Would that be the cause of this or something else?
I'm having a bit of trouble. I used automotive stripes as a "makeshift fret". I tuned it via plucking along with the tuner that came with it. I tried bowing and tuning to see if that made a difference as well. No issues there. When I placed the stripes, the E string is flat on the F#, and randomly sharp and flat after that. I'm a tradesman, so I know the stripes are parallel.
I would suggest you use those little tiny dots and have one placed in the middle of the fingerboard (between the middle two strings) where the 1st and 3rd finger goes. Having all these frets in my opinion, is not great and you don't need them if you have the 1st and 3rd finger placements.
Because the lines are not perfectly straight, this is where these fret stickers come unstuck (no pun intended!).
why dont you get Dont Fret, then use that as a marker to put some little dots on like i sometimes have on my violin as they are super easy to remove - especially if you are worried about messing up a rental? I hear from others who have commented under this vides, that its exactly what they have done successfully.
I take it you would either have to slacken the strings off, or remove them to be able to stick this easily to your violin neck? You mentioned you didn't want to stick it on your Violin as you wouldn't get it off. Is it hard to remove afterwards in the future?
Well I wouldn't stick it to my personal violin as my violin is worth several thousand with a pur ebony fingerboard.
Its not going to damage anything or that hard to get off, but to be honest, i would only put on a 1st finger dot and 3rd: ua-cam.com/video/g9O814LUhTo/v-deo.html
This video is super old now and I no longer really recommend this.
can you do a video on how to place the markers using a piano, if you have sorry, but i was just wondering.
The first tape would be equivalent to a guitar's second fret. If you have the high e string, which both guitar and fiddle have on their right, then you have a "fis" (german) on the second fret, but your "fis" on the first tape for the fiddle. So you just have tape's for every secnd fret and still have to search for the notes in between. Using a chromatic tuner can help you find your notes.
is the sticker tuned to 12TET?
Is it possible to take the sticker off the violin easily, or will it leave a sticky residue?
Haha, I'm already in trouble. I made the mistake of assuming a little guitar experience would parlay into learning the violin overnight. So far it seems more akin to singing than fretted stringed instruments.
BTW, 27 years of experience is not only impressive, but shocking. I just assumed (justifiably) that you were younger than me (under 26). Glad to know us subscribers are in very capable hands.
Thanks for all the in-depth video lessons! I have some catching up to do.
Thank you for all your help! What do the white lines indicate? I've been learning by tab and know next to nothing still 😕
Its just the backing thats white. The sticker itself is mostly clear. The colored lines are mainly the next whole note up. The space between lines are the half notes in between.
Well, I went and picked on of these Don't Fret things up today. Kind of a pain to put on, and it's quite hideous, however, it's brilliant for its purpose. I used the whole thing.
Hello Allison, Me and the missus (Denmark) is having a bash at playing the violin :-) Thanks to you and your 1-30 lessens, we are well on our way. We have those stickers in Denmark, so i´ll be ordering one today. when we get to lessen 10 and need to order the book 1, is it possible to get it sent here?? Well basicly, just want to say thanks for the opportunity to learn to play an instrument and that there is no online danish tutorials on you tube!! unbelievable... Thanks, Antony
All my books are downloadable, so the second the payment goes through, you can download it.
perfect, thanks and keep safe
@@TheOnlineViolinTutor
Hi, great vid, didn't quite end up getting the same one, found something called a "D'addario tactile fingerboard" at my local music shop, which makes it feel similar to playing a guitar with actual frets.
do we need to release the string from the violin first before sticking?
Wouldn't this virtual fretting be off, if your action is high?
I play banjo and guitar, and I recently bought a violin at a garage sale. Your videos have been super! Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Oh and...WOW! do you look pretty with your hair back, it shows your jaw line nicely!
how can I get the stickers especially if you live in Kenya??
that tutorial was easy to follow
thanx!!!!!!!!
Try a google search?
My violin is a vintage. Would it be a good idea to stick that on my violin? I'm kind of worried if it might ruin my violin.
I'm a totally beginner. Now I'm still using some kind of stickers like that, obviously, but I'm...like... bad at feeling, or recognizing, the notes by ears. I'm afraid that I will play the wrong note at some point w/o even knowing, and then later can't change my habit.
That would be very bad. So can you please tell me some way to improve the ability of recognizing the notes by ears? I've tried to listen to them again and again, but it's still quite hard to remember.
Again, thank you so much. Your lessons are not only helpful, understandable and easy to follow but also very inspirational!! I feel somehow less stressful and anxious now!
SakuraAmamiya how long have the stickers been on for?
Well... Half of a year, I think.
SakuraAmamiya its up to you whether you take them off or not, but I may be tempted to keep them on a little longer
Thank you! But I can't find this kind of finger stickers anywhere near my place, so if somehow the recent stickers fell off, what could I do to find the right places to put my fingers again?
The Online Piano and Violin Tutor hi Alison, can I use this sticker for the ABRSM PRACTICAL EXAMINATION ???
PLEASE LET ME KNOW. This is really urgent
Yes you count them exactly like a guitar. There are some white tapes on the sticker that are not clear in the video and you should count them too. The difference is that instead of finding the next string on the 5th fret like a guitar, it's on the 7th one (orange in the video).
I'm currently using a loaner violin for the next couple of months and would love to use these, but I'm afraid of getting them stuck on a violin I don't own. Does anyone know about removing these or is there a better alternative then this guide for that?
I want to be able play without the tapes. I would call myself an intermediate player right now. Any suggestions of how I can work towards doing this?
you just have to take them off and try to keep in tune as best you can. So when you were using them, you should by now know the sound of the notes pretty well and the pieces you have been playing too so that when they are off, you can still match those sounds. Its probably easier done then said.
Dear Alison. I have few problems i encountered when i tried to put the first finger mark stickers. The first, is When i have tuned my violin correctly for open strings of G, D, A and E i tried find the exact place where it will sound A, E , B and F respectively. When i had put the stickers i found my A,E and B being in the correct spot but the try to play E open string it is tuned correct and when i put my finger on E String at the sticker spot it shows F# in my tuner. What could have been wrong. please advise.
Secondly, my sticker spots where it shows A, E, B and F#, they are not exactly at 36mm but much lower than that, i would say it is around 30mm. When i checked at 36mm spot it shows B,F C and G (no sharps. Please let me know where i am doing the mistakes. Thanks a ton.
Just FYI i am using a DAddario digital tuner the small one. thanks
But what do I do if I’m not able to get one? Is there a way to put dots with a marker maybe? It would really help
ua-cam.com/video/g9O814LUhTo/v-deo.html
I need to know if this sticker would work for my stentor violin please answer
This sticker is for any full size violin, but you dont need it. You just need 2 small dots: ua-cam.com/video/g9O814LUhTo/v-deo.html
@@TheOnlineViolinTutor so which one is better for me. I'm a very new beginner
Thanks for the video.
When am I supposed to remove those stickers?
As soon as possible really. You could take it off now and just put a little dot sticker where the 1st and 3rd finger goes like I do in all my tutorial videos.
Whites are flats and sharps I assume?
Kevin Humphrey yup pretty much
Would you mind on making a video on the 3rd postion on the violin?
I have a don't fret for my cello , does this fit the same.
I have sussed it out , when you position the don't fret , on the fingerboard of a 4/4 violin , the distance from the nut to the bridge must be 325mm exactly and on my 4/4 cello 685mm , so if the bridge is positioned between the notches on the f-holes , then it should be spot-on.
You are good with your words but you should hear Jason Carter. He and Stuart Duncan are bluegrass's Menuhin and Paganini, and they are my faves (mostly Jason, though)
Hi Alison, I have a dilemma that I could use some help with. I just ordered my violin, and with it I bought this don't fret tape, but when I received it, it said it was for a 3/4 violin. My violin is 4/4, but does it matter? Are the neck lengths all the same? I tried googling to, but to no avail, please help!!!! (and btw, huge fan, you're amazing!!! ;)
is it available in singapore
I use the violin for scales to get the intonation . My only concern is that a violin is an expressive instrument. I feel like learning violin with out feeling is a handicap?
opps! "the violin tuner" How Embarassing!
hey,
I'm using these stickers at the moment. I was wondering at what level you should take them of and play by ear?
Im currently following your lessons, about to start song book one after lesson 1-10
As soon as you feel ready, but i would leave them on a little longer - perhaps till after lesson 20.
ok, thanks for the fast response!
I would like to ask where to buy the Fred sticker to place on the violin
how about placing it under the strings like you demonstrated and then marking it on the strings with dots like you said you in the beginning
+Usman Mir At the time , I didnt have a spare violin to do this on, only my antique violin and for 3 reasons I didnt do this: 1, im sure you can all imagine what something stuck on it going to be/look like. 2. I didnt want to mess with my VERY expensive violin which leads on to point 3. i would have to take it off the moment i finished filming, which people buying this wont do for a good while.
+The Online Piano and Violin Tutor
Sorry I meant to suggest this as another solution to actually sticking something on the violin. if you place it under like you showed but not actually stick it on you could see where to mark the frets on the strings and then remove the thing. like using it like a ruler
+Usman Mir ohhhhhh lol. I see, well yes you can, but this would be even better: ua-cam.com/video/g9O814LUhTo/v-deo.html