1. Created by: Mrs. Cates, Ms. Coghill, Mrs. Barthel Photos by: Karely
Washoe County School District 5th Grade Exploratory Violin Unit Playing Position
Created by:
Mrs. Cates, Ms. Coghill, Mrs. Barthel
Photos by: Karely

2. How to form your Playing Position1 2
Carefully place the sponge on top of your head.
With your LEFT hand, hold the violin above your head. 3 4
Place the end button in your ear 
Drop the violin straight down from the ear, and place on TOP of your shoulder.
(Do not hold the violin on your chest)

3. Playing Position
"I hold my violin with the weight of my head. This makes sure the violin doesn't wiggle while I play. Notice how I keep my wrist straight? Makes me feel like a professional violinist!"

4. Challenge: No Hands!
“Try holding your violin with no hands! Check that your sponge is secure, and slowly take your hands away from the violin. Can you do it?”
Class Challenge
Set a timer. Who can hold their violin the longest?

5. Finger Placement
Each of my fingers stands up on the correct finger tape:
1st finger (index finger) goes on red
2nd finger (middle finger) goes on white
3rd finger (ring finger) goes on blue

6. Plucking Hand Placement
“I place my right thumb on the side of the fingerboard and pluck over the fingerboard. This makes sure I don’t get sticky rosin dust on my fingers.”

7. Now you know how to play in Playing Position!