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5 Things Beginner Violinists Should Practice Every Day



Starting the violin is an exciting journey—but let’s be honest, it can feel a little overwhelming at first. With so much to learn, where do you even begin? The key to progress lies in consistent daily practice—but not just playing aimlessly. Focusing on the right things can make all the difference.


Here are 5 essential elements every beginner violinist should include in their daily practice routine:


1. Posture and Bow Hold Check (5 Minutes)


Before you play a single note, take a few moments to check your posture and bow hold. This should be done not just at the beginning of your practice session, but every time you get into playing position. We also recommend you spend the first few minutes of practice time on a couple of posture/bow hold exercises to reinforce good habits and help you feel comfortable in the correct position.


Why it matters: Developing good habits early prevents injury and helps you play more easily as pieces become more complex.


Tip: Use a mirror to self-correct your position.


2. Open Strings and Bowing Exercises (10 Minutes)


Practice bowing on open strings (G, D, A, E). Focus on producing a clear, smooth tone while keeping the bow straight between the bridge and fingerboard (called the highway). In the beginning you will focus on small, quick bowing patterns, and as you get more comfortable, you will want to start trying slower, longer bows. Good tone is produced by finding a balance between the weight/pressure of the bow on the string and the speed at which you pull the bow. Experiment with these two elements until you can produce a strong, ringing sound from your instrument.


Why it matters: Bow control is the heart of good tone. Even advanced players revisit these fundamentals!


Tip: Imagine the bow gripping and pulling on the string to produce strong tone.



3. Left Hand Finger Placement (10 Minutes)


Work on finger placement with simple finger exercises or scales. Use a tuner or finger tapes if needed to make sure each note is in tune. Sometimes setting down the bow and focusing just on your violin hand can be helpful here. Place your fingers on their very tips for increased accuracy, and do a LOT of reps to create muscle memory so you can find the correct pitch every time you place a finger.


Why it matters: Training your ear and fingers to find the right pitches helps you develop intonation (playing in tune).


Tip: Start with one-octave scales like A major or D major.


4. Simple Pieces or Etudes (10–15 Minutes)


Play beginner pieces that reinforce your technique and musicality. Suzuki Book 1, for example, offers a solid progression of songs that build your skills step by step. Our violin course takes you through Suzuki Book 1 in a simple, easy to learn way.


Why it matters: Playing actual music helps you connect technique to expression—and keeps things fun and motivating.


Tip: Break pieces into small sections and repeat slowly.


5. Listening and Ear Training (5 Minutes)


Spend a few minutes listening to professional violinists or recordings of the pieces you’re learning. Try to match pitch, rhythm, and phrasing.


Why it matters: Your musical ear is just as important as your hands. The more you listen, the more naturally you'll play.


Tip: Use slow-downed versions of songs on our course site for pitch practice.


Final Thoughts


Progress on the violin doesn’t come from how long you practice, but how well you practice. By focusing on these five daily areas—posture, bowing, intonation, repertoire, and listening—you’ll build a strong foundation and avoid many of the common pitfalls beginners face.


If you are interested in a more guided practice plan, along with video instruction and helps in all of these areas, check out our Classic course package at https://www.violinevolution.com/courses.


Remember: consistency is more important than perfection. Even 30 focused minutes a day can bring real improvement over time.


Happy practicing!

 
 
 

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