Free Violin Sheet Music, Practice Charts, Violin Tutorials & Violin Teaching Materials
Bookmark the M4YV FREEBIES page so you can take advantage of these ever-growing resources.
BLANK STAFF PAPER:
I created these LARGE sized staff papers to keep in my studio and used them in 2 capacities:
- Encourage students to compose by supplying them with the resources to get started.
- To write out specific practice spots as home assignments during students lessons.
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SCALES:
A & G Major Scales for Violin (add-a-note) & C Minor Scale for Viola (add-a-note):
These scales are arranged in "add-a-note" style to help students slow down, and isolate intervals, which will lead to improved intonation. The scale is broken down into 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 notes in order for the musician to hear the pitches in context. Having a worksheet keeps a student organized by giving them a clear chart of what to follow and how to practice.
For more resources & ideas for practicing scales, please click here.
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7 Bowing Studies in the Keys of A, D & G Major:
If you have a student who struggles with understanding and/or executing down and up bows, these studies will help provide support. To view and purchase all 7 of the Bowing Studies for Beginning Violin please click here.
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| Bowing Studies Part 1 (A, D & G Major) |
One Octave Scales & Arpeggios for Viola
Your feedback helps me improve and offer better resources. When the One Octave Scale and Arpeggios (for VIOLIN) was published, several musicians contacted me and asked for a viola version of this resource. I thought this was a fantastic idea and I am happy to share that this is now available for all the amazing alto clef players out there!
Download a free sample below and visit the store to see what makes One Octave Scales and Arpeggios (for VIOLA) a special resource for beginning - intermediate level viola players.
C Major Scale & Arpeggio LARGE Print
Sometimes it helps to see things up close to better grasp the details. If you are interested in more simple scales in LARGE print format, the A, D & G Major one octave scales are available in the LARGE Print Music for Beginning Violin collection.
*Make sure to set your printer to landscape when printing.
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DUETS:
King Williams March (duet)
This baroque duet is fantastic (and can work on instruments other than the violin too). It has been one of my favorites for decades and I hope it makes you smile :).
Note - this was edited on 12/30/21 and the octaves were changed in measure 13, violin 2.
Old Joe Clark - Beginning Level Duet
I recently revised many of the Music for Young Violinists collections. I added some bonus duets into the Let's Fiddle!!! for Beginner Level Violin. This is one of the bonus duets, click here to view the entire collection.
Twinkle Duet in G Major for Viola
This duet for viola was transcribed from the violin version available in 21 Twinkles.
Spring for 2 Violins
The short duet "Spring for 2 Violins" correlates with New Spring which is a short piece in double-stops and offered in the 5 Progressive Double-Stop Études for Violin collection.
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Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star Duet (A & D Major Violin, D Major Viola)
I learned this standard harmony part by ear from Suzuki Summer Institutes as a child. It is a favorite for many, and I have included a basic version here to share. For a slowed down practice version to play along with and/or learn by ear, please visit my YouTube video.
For more Twinkle harmonies please check out my collections Twinkle: Duets, Trios & Quartets and 21 Twinkles.
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SHEET MUSIC:
Ode to Joy - Violin & Viola (Easy)
There is some new music here at M4YV and to celebrate the first viola collection (yes you read that correctly - VIOLA).
I added this all-time favorite tune here on the FREEBIES page to literally "spread the joy." Ode to Joy is now featured in 3 different M4YV collections:
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Oh Danny Boy (F, G & D Major)
Enjoy some PDFs of the classic lament Oh Danny Boy in the keys of F, G & D Major. Perfect for beginning-intermediate level violinists. If you are interested in learning more about this iconic tune, there are plenty of articles on the World Wide Web to share its history, the lyrics and famous renditions. I have long believed that beauty tells its own truth, and our hearts understand messages like these and that sometimes involving the brain breaks this sacred communication pathway, so I will refrain from sharing any historical data about this piece here.
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| oh_danny_boy_f_g_d_major.pdf |
Miss Colt of Seacliff's Strathspey
A strathspey is a type of Scottish dance tune in 4/4 time. It is similar to a hornpipe but slower and more stately. This is an eclectic and moody piece ripe for creative interpretation.
Miss Mary Ann Johnston's Favourite
From William Shepherd's 1st Collection (1793). Learn more about this music here.
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Jig for Fun
Every once in a blue moon, I turn on a computer that sits in a drawer and is so old and broken it doesn't do much but serve as a net for my old ideas. I found one, played around with it and the FREEBIES page now has a new Jig called Jig for Fun (if you have a better idea for a name, please let me know). This new FREEBIE is indeed fun, easy to play, easy to memorize, and perfect for beginning-intermediate level players. All bowings are just suggestions, so play around to find what works best for your style.
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The First Noel for 3 Violins
I recently revised the holiday & Christmas music collection and wavered about putting this trio arrangement of the First Noel in it. I like this arrangement because of the range expressed in the top line and a slightly modern interpretation of the harmony. I decided to keep it and offer it here and get your feedback - feel free to let me know how this works for you (here is my email address). A version of just the melody is available in the Holiday Joy! collection.
To learn more about the Holiday Joy! sheet music collection, please click here.
Ding, Dong Merrily on High
I love this piece and forgot to put this melody only version into the newly revised Holiday Joy! sheet music collection. My mistake is your gain because it is now offered here for everyone on the FREEBIES page.
Click here to learn more about Holiday Joy! and view the harmony arrangement of Ding, Dong Merrily on High.
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Berceuse by F. Schubert
Berceuse - noun, a lullaby. A piece of instrumental music in the style of a lullaby. Origin: French, from bercer ‘to rock.’
The Happy Farmer (LARGE Print)
If your student is struggling to understand the concept of hooked bows this hand-out will help by isolating and explaining the bow strokes of this piece, The Happy Farmer. I suggest printing it out and having the student use a marker to highlight the down and up bows.
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Sight Reading for Beginners: Violin, Viola & Cello
This was a suggestion from one of the musicians in the newsletter group here, who sent me an email a while ago requesting sight-reading material that violin players could play along with viola and cello players.
This is a fun follow-up from another musician named Heather, who just did a guest post for us and shared some sheet music samples that are also perfect for sight reading material -
click HERE to learn more.
This is a fun follow-up from another musician named Heather, who just did a guest post for us and shared some sheet music samples that are also perfect for sight reading material -
click HERE to learn more.
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NOTE READING TOOLS:
Flashcards
Printable music note reading flashcards. For best results use a heavier paper such as cardstock when printing these.
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| music_note_flascards.pdf |
LARGE Rhythms
LARGE print versions of popular beginning rhythms. You made need to adjust your printer to "Landscape" for these to print correctly.
More LARGE print music available here at Music for Young Violinists:
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| large_rhythms.pdf |
TUTORIALS & CHARTS:
How to Play High 3rd/Low 4th Fingers
How to use these study guides: Some students must use the "guitar position" (sitting with the Violin on the lap) and pluck the exercises before doing as written with the bow. This is especially important for violinists like me and prone to excess tension in the left hand or violinists who struggle with proper left-hand technique due to recently sizing up to a new instrument or where they are in their development. There is inherent repetition within these sheets; some students will need to do all the exercises daily for a month, and some will be able to grasp the concept by just utilizing one portion. We are all unique, and these guides can be tailored to where a violinist is at in their development.
Click HERE to learn more on the blog post.
Click HERE to learn more on the blog post.
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String Crossings & 24 Ways to Practice
Learn more about string crossings and this resource here.
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Warm-Up Routines for Violin Using Open Strings
Warm-Up Routines for Violin (tutorial video & PDF chart) uses a simple but powerful open string exercise to learn 13 different technical exercises for beginning, intermediate, and advanced level violin.
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Finger Patterns for Violin
Finger patterns are a missing link to learning to play the violin. These simple and fun exercises will help with:
1 - Half & Whole Steps
2- Better Understanding Key Signatures
3- Intonation
+ Finger Patterns Strengthen the Mind-Body Connection!
The file shared below includes an unlabeled version for students to write the finger patterns in for themselves. For a demonstration of how to sequence teaching finger patterns and more ideas about finger patterns, please watch the video below.
| finger_patterns__charts_.pdf |
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Rainbow Scales for Violin & Viola
Use these LARGE sized musical staff charts with students to help learn note names and use them as a reference and color in the half notes for fun. Many of us are looking for distance ways of connecting with our students right now, and these free charts are perfect for beginners to study the musical staff. Get creative with how you use these and please send me a picture of your ideas at [email protected].
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| violin_viola_scale_pdf.pdf |
Music Theory Interval Charts
The rainbow-colored interval chart lists the names of the intervals and makes a great studio poster. The black and white chart is unlabeled and perfect for printing out for students to have them write in the names of the intervals.
These interval charts are from the double-stop resource 5 Progressive Double-Stop Études for Violin, composed by Heather Figi.
*These were revised April 2023. My apologies for the error in the initial version.
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| intervals_revised_2nd.pdf |
Double-Stops
1- Practice Exercises: Concerto in G Minor, Op. 12, No. 1, mvmt. I, A. Vivaldi (Suzuki Violin Book 5) - Excerpt and double-stop exercises for measure 40-41.
2- Preparatory exercises for the 5 Progressive Double-Stop Études for viola.
For more Double-Stop resources click here to learn about 5 Progressive Double-Stop Études for Violin and 5 Progressive Double-Stop Études for Viola.
2- Preparatory exercises for the 5 Progressive Double-Stop Études for viola.
For more Double-Stop resources click here to learn about 5 Progressive Double-Stop Études for Violin and 5 Progressive Double-Stop Études for Viola.
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Full Brain Learning
Use this chart to accompany the correlating video and learn how to teach strategically using the senses and brain halves.
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| how_to_teach_using_senses__chart_.pdf |
How To Buy: a Used Violin & the Best Violin
Accompanying file links for the How to Buy a Used Violin 2 part series:
- How to Buy a Used Violin (Part 1 of 2) - 9 Guidelines
- How to Inspect the Craftsmanship of a Violin (Part 2 of 2) - 14 Part Tutorial
It is recommended to view the accompanying videos on the Music for Young Violinists YouTube channel to see the teaching points demonstrated and expanded upon.
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How to Sight Read for Violinists
This is a great handout to print out for your students to help them prepare for auditions. If you are seeking more sight reading material, there are 9 progressive sight reading exercises included in the Teacher's Toolkit.
Progression for Teaching the Blue Jello Rhythm Cards to Violinists
This handout accompanies the YouTube video: Blue Jello Cards (teaching progression for violinists + multi-level teaching ideas)
15 Ways to Optimize Violin Practice
This handout accompanies the YouTube video: 15 Ways to Optimize Violin Practice.
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5 Technicals for Left Hand (Violin)
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| base_joints.pdf |
PRACTICE CHARTS:
Practice Planner Charts
Black & white + color versions of all 3 designs.
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| practice_planers_www.musicforyoungviolinists.com.pdf |
Practice Charts
Sometimes all it takes to freshen up your practice routine is a new practice chart. You can use these to help support goals and either mark on with a pen/pencil/crayon/marker or use a sticker. For more practice charts, please scroll down.
Sometimes all it takes to freshen up your practice routine is a new practice chart. You can use these to help support goals and either mark on with a pen/pencil/crayon/marker or use a sticker. For more practice charts, please scroll down.
Print these out and cut into 6 smaller parts. Each little chart can be used to count repetitions in home practice. My favorite thing to do is use tally marks (5 per box) and get to 100. For extra fun, use smiley faces, stars, music notes or cute hearts in the boxes. Happy Practicing!
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| practice_charts_.pdf |
Suzuki Violin - Books 1 & 2 and Books 3 & 4 Practice Charts
Keep review organized and goal centered with this concise practice chart for all of the repertoire in Suzuki Violin Books 1 & 2 and Suzuki Violin Books 3 & 4.
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Even More Practice Charts
Help make violin practice fun and organized with practice charts. Perfect for both young violinists and anyone "young at heart."
Help make violin practice fun and organized with practice charts. Perfect for both young violinists and anyone "young at heart."
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ÉTUDES & TECHNIQUE STUDIES:
12 Steps for "Business" Shifting from John Kendall
John Kendall is the man responsible for bringing the Suzuki Philosophy from Japan to America. He was a man of great vision and a huge, warm heart. I felt beyond lucky to be his neighbor when I lived out east. He would give me free lessons as an adult and make me his famous peanut butter and alfalfa sprout sandwiches served on his wives beautiful handmade pottery plates. He taught me so much that years later I am still taking it in and integrating his lessons. John was so comprehensive and organized in his approach that he made anyone feel like they could master playing the violin. This shifting sheet will set your students up with such a solid foundation when they practice shifts that they will be empowered in the process.
Shifting for Violinists
A left-hand shifting study often passed on from teacher to students using the words"And stop, and stop, and don't stop at all."
Violin String Crossing Étude
Technique, technique, technique!!!
Discipline of study = freedom of expression (write this down and hang up in your violin case.)
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"Tap, Don't Squeeze" from John Kendall
A left-hand technical study titled "Tap, Don't Squeeze" passed on from John Kendall.
I realized recently that I transcribed this into the wrong time signature and it should be in 6/8 time and not 3/4. I will fix as soon as I can. Thanks, Heather
Expand & Bounce from John Kendall
A left-hand technical study titled "Expand & Bounce" passed on from John Kendall.
The "Daily Dozen"
Another great technique builder that was passed on to me from the ever beloved John Kendall.
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Music for 4 Violins
My students love playing the music from the Music for 4 Violins collections (formerly titled I Came Here to Play) and Hypnotic from Volume 1 is a studio favorite.
I compose music for younger violinists with the goal of advancing technique, and this piece gets the left-hand shifting by using left-hand pizzicato. The rhythm can be a little tricky to play correctly, so I made a worksheet to isolate this practice spot.
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MISCELLANEOUS:
鈴木鎮一 Shinichi Suzuki Quotes
Shinichi Suzuki, 鈴木 鎮一 (October 17, 1898 – January 26, 1998)
I printed the Shinichi Suzuki quotes in 2016 as a gift to share with members of the Music for Young Violinists project and also gave them as gifts to my students and colleagues. If you are inclined, here are the files and you can print out as well for your own purposes.
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| shinichi_suzuki_quotes.pdf |
Violin Coloring Sheets
The One Octave Scales and Arpeggio collection cover was too fun to not create a coloring sheet design with.
Learn more about this resource by clicking here.
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Duet, Trio & Quartet Coloring Sheets:
Make the music learning experience fun and joyful with these coloring sheets. Coloring sheets are perfect for young violinists to help nurture a culture of enthusiasm around their violin playing. Teachers can print off copies of these coloring sheets and keep in their studio to help occupy younger siblings during the older siblings lessons.
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Tip for Performance Anxiety
Nervous before your performance?
Try this little trick of saying the alphabet backward in your mind to help regain a sense of calm. Learn more about how and why this works on the short video posted below.
Try this little trick of saying the alphabet backward in your mind to help regain a sense of calm. Learn more about how and why this works on the short video posted below.
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| performance_anxiety_tip__charts_.pdf |
Erik Erickson's Stages of Development
Download this chart to better understand the developmental stages of your students, child(ren) and yourself.
| E. Erickson's Stages of Development |
Thank You for Washing Your Hands sign:
In addition to being a violin teacher, I am also a registered nurse (RN), and I feel strongly about wellness practices such as hand washing because this is a proven way to prevent the spread of pathogens (the icky things that make us sick).
To learn more about keeping your studio healthy, click here to read 4 Ways to Keep Your Studio Healthy. Click on the video below to learn how to wash your hands like a nurse from your truly.
Thank you for washing your hands before your lesson sign:
It is hard to teach or take lessons when you are sick and hand washing is one of the easiest ways you can avoid getting sick in the first place. Print this sign out for your teaching space to help keep everyone healthy.
Click here for an article about the importance of hand washing to forward to the families in your studio.
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"Bucket Fillers"(Notes of Kindness)
Print out these "bucket fillers" & cut into 4s to create little notes of kindness, support, and gratitude for your studio's bucket board. These will work best with a paper cutter (I got my paper cutter for about $9 on Amazon). Learn what a bucket board is here.
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| bucket_fillers_free_pdf.pdf |
Dream Trees for Mapping Goals
Dream Trees are designed to help you slow down and create the life you want by mapping your dreams into bite-sized goals.
Use these beautiful sheets to help your dreams come true and live a creative life.
Learn more about how they work here.
View the entire 47 page collection here.
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| dream_trees_goal_map_-_samples.pdf |
Thomas Edison quote:
"I have not failed, I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."
| i_have_not_failed._ive_just_found_10000_ways_that_wont_work..pdf |
| i_have_not_failed._ive_just_found_10000_ways_that_wont_work..png |
15 Minute Time Tracking Sheet
The only thing that is fair in this world is we each get 24 hours a day. What you do with these hours can help propel you towards your goals (or away). Learn more about how I have utilized this time tracking tool here.
Are you a Goal Getter? Then you will also love there!
The only thing that is fair in this world is we each get 24 hours a day. What you do with these hours can help propel you towards your goals (or away). Learn more about how I have utilized this time tracking tool here.
Are you a Goal Getter? Then you will also love there!
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Mystery Holiday Music ???
Who doesn't love solving a mystery???
I removed the pitches from 3 popular holiday pieces and left the rhythms for my students to solve the mystery of what pieces these are. These are a really fun way to enforce rhythm reading skills, celebrate the holiday season and keep lessons and group classes fresh with new ways to learn. The 3 pieces are:
- Jingle Bells
- Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer
- Ode to Joy
Click here to view the Holiday JOY! sheet music collections available at the M4YV store for violin and viola.
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| mysteryholidaypieces_www.musicforyoungviolinists.com.pdf |
