Your violin map
Complete the introduction and the two rules, then explore the different paths.
Your progress
Through the published lessons
0 / 32 · 0 %
Main Path
Why and how learning the violin can be a game you play with yourself, and the two principles that guide the whole game.
0 / 3 lessons complete
A-0
How to Play The Violin Game
Available
A-1
The Breathing Rule
First complete: How to Play The Violin Game
A-2
The Feeling Rule
First complete: The Breathing Rule
The Left Hand
How the violin feels in the hand. This section introduces some of the basic mechanics of the left hand, as taught by Dorothy DeLay, Carl Flesch, and Francesco Geminiani.
0 / 6 lessons complete
B-0
Holding the Violin
First complete: The Feeling Rule
B-1
The Strings and Finger Numbers
First complete: Holding the Violin · Reading Music: The Basics
B-2
The "Drop" and the "Release"
First complete: The Strings and Finger Numbers
B-3
Pizzicato with the left hand
First complete: The "Drop" and the "Release"
B-4
Pizzicato Gymnastics
First complete: Pizzicato with the left hand
B-5
Geminiani x Flesch
First complete: Pizzicato Gymnastics
The Right Hand
How the bow feels in the hand. This section introduces some of the basic mechanics of the right hand, as taught by Lucien Capet, Ivan Galamian, and Giuseppe Tartini.
0 / 6 lessons complete
C-0
Holding a Fish: The Dynamic Bow Hold
First complete: The Feeling Rule
C-1
Jellyfish x Pivot
First complete: Holding a Fish: The Dynamic Bow Hold · The Strings and Finger Numbers
C-2
Feeling the Resistance of the String
First complete: Jellyfish x Pivot
C-3
The Windshield Wiper
First complete: Feeling the Resistance of the String
C-4
A Sound like Butter
First complete: The Windshield Wiper
C-5
Mezza di voze: son filé
First complete: A Sound like Butter
Reading the Notes
Music is primarily an aural language, but it is often notated on paper especially in the Western classical tradition. This section introduces the basics of reading music, and some basic concepts that will become important later in the game.
0 / 4 lessons complete
D-0
Reading Music: The Basics
First complete: The Feeling Rule
D-1
Reading Music: Rhythms and the Measure
First complete: Reading Music: The Basics
D-2
Music Theory: The Major Scale, whole and half steps
First complete: Reading Music: Rhythms and the Measure
D-3
The Dounis Pattern, but simplified
First complete: Music Theory: The Major Scale, whole and half steps · Mezza di voze: son filé · Geminiani x Flesch
The Notes in First Position
Discover where the fingers land, one small exploration at a time. Two markers offer a starting point; touch, listening and curiosity will help you find your way between them.
0 / 7 lessons complete
E-1
No-peeking!
First complete: The Dounis Pattern, but simplified
E-2
The First Finger
First complete: No-peeking!
E-3
The Third Finger
First complete: The First Finger
E-4
The Fourth Finger
First complete: The Third Finger
E-5
The Second Finger and the Semitone
First complete: The Fourth Finger
E-6
Intervals
First complete: The Second Finger and the Semitone
E-7
The Ysaÿe Scale Pattern, simplified
First complete: Intervals
Carl Flesch Arpeggios
Explore seven one-octave arpeggio patterns from open G. Listen, notice what changes, and find each pattern by feel, with a scrolling score, fingerboard guide and optional sound.
0 / 6 lessons complete
F-0
Discover the Pattern
First complete: The Ysaÿe Scale Pattern, simplified
F-1
Major and Minor
First complete: Discover the Pattern
F-2
Change One Note
First complete: Major and Minor
F-3
Two More Patterns
First complete: Change One Note
F-4
The Complete Sequence
First complete: Two More Patterns
F-5
Arpeggio Quiz
First complete: The Complete Sequence
Dorothy DeLay and the Third Position
A future path for shifting and positions. Also introduced are the precursors to vibrato, and a little trick for intonation.
Upcoming path
G-0
Dorothy DeLay and the Third Position
Coming soon
A note about this beta version
The Violin Game is still a work in progress. Some lessons, images, translations, and interactions may change as the project develops.
If you notice something confusing, broken, or helpful, I would be grateful for your feedback.
Teacher mode
Open any published lesson, even when locked. Completing lessons and unlocking later steps still follow the normal progression. Upcoming lessons remain in preparation.