How to Play Violin Notes

I imagine the first time you pulled your violin out of its case, you noticed that there are no frets on the fingerboard, meaning no direction as to where to place your fingers for correct note playing...and gasped! That is exactly what I did! Don't be alarmed, your muscle memory and great ear for music will help you overcome the fear of "catsqueak" (the sound the violin makes when you pull the bow across the strings at the wrong angle). Don't worry, you will learn it through patience and perseverence!
Lets get started.
The open strings of the violin are as follows (open meaning without placing any fingers on the strings) G, D, A, and E, progressing from lowest to highest string on the violin. The left hand holds the neck of the violin with the fingers arched above the strings ready to press down for notemaking. It might help to hold your violin like a guitar momentarily so you can see and feel where your fingers need to go.

The first finger rests on the string about 1 1/4 inch from the nut. The third finger is placed about 2 inches up from the first finger. Hug the second finger next to the third. With time, muscle memory will tell your fingers where to go, and your first finger will always be in the same place.

In violin playing, your fingers are no longer called index, middle, ring or pinky. Instead they take on numerical value with the index finger being called the first finger and each successive finger following in number. Lets try to make some music.

To play a simple D scale, place your first finger on the E, second on the F#, right next to the third finger, which plays a G. The fingers all follow the same sequence and pattern when playing the B, C#, D and A strings.

Following is a nice diagram of the violin neck with notes from Lisa Miles.
Her site is http://theheartstring.org/theory_basics.htm.

Holding your bow correctly is vital to playing vibrant notes on the violin. Your hand, fingers, wrist and arm are just part of the magic of playing the violin...fluid connecting of the bow to the violin are crucial. Here are some bow-holding requirements:

1. hold your bow steady with your left hand, grasping it in the middle of the bow in a horizontal direction, keeping it parallel to your torso.

2. place your hand on the "frog" of the bow (the end designed for your fingers), with your fingers in a relaxed curl facing down.

3. your thumb should be placed in the opening underneath, with your index finer on the top of the bow, slightly leaning on its left side.

4. the ring and middle fingers will be placed down the far side, away from you, curled over the top.

5. the pinky fingers sits on top of the bow giving you some balance and control.

It will take numerous efforts to teach your hand to hold the bow correctly, so please don't get frustrated. Your fingers have to remember where they need to go.

Through much practice you will have your bow holding down to a science!

Now that you have basic knowledge of how to place your fingers on the fingerboard and hold the bow, it's time to "connect the dots", time to put these pieces together like a puzzle. Don't feel bad if the first sound that comes out reminds you of an owl screeching in the woods, or two cats fighting, these are normal and with practice will be obliterated from you playing repetoire!

With your chin resting firmly on the chin rest, bow in hand, fingers on the fingerboard, hold down a string and slowly draw the bow across the strings with one fluid movement. If it sounds a bit odd, adjust the bow trying to keep the horsehair aligned horizontally with the strings and pull it back keeping the stroke solid. You will have to practice many times for this to become second nature, as it doesn't automatically feel comfortable. Remember to keep your arm parallel with the bow so it would seem as it is one long arm, trying not to scrunch up your bow shoulder towards your head. Try to stay relaxed.

Through much trial and error, you will be able to make melodious notes eminate from your violin, a fitting start to a long education in violin playing!