Understanding Violin Positions | Clean Fingerboard Guide
This chart shows how 1st position maps into higher positions through shifting. When a note is outside the range of a position, it is marked with X.
Note: Higher positions extend range up the fingerboard. The E string reaches the highest notes first.
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1st Position → 2nd Position Reference Chart
| 1st Position | 2nd Position |
|---|---|
| G-2 | G-1 |
| G-3 | G-2 |
| G-4 | G-3 |
| D-1 | G-4 |
| D-2 | D-1 |
| D-3 | D-2 |
| D-4 | D-3 |
| A-1 | D-4 |
| A-2 | A-1 |
| A-3 | A-2 |
| A-4 | A-3 |
| E-1 | A-4 |
| E-2 | E-1 |
| E-3 | E-2 |
| E-4 | E-3 |
| X E-4 | E-4 |
1st → 3rd Position Reference Chart
| 1st Position | 3rd Position |
|---|---|
| G-3 | G-1 |
| G-4 | G-2 |
| D-3 | D-1 |
| D-4 | D-2 |
| A-3 | A-1 |
| A-4 | A-2 |
| E-1 | A-3 |
| E-2 | A-4 |
| E-3 | E-1 |
| E-4 | E-2 |
| X E-4 (extended) | E-3 |
| X | E-4 |
Note: 4th position is unique and does not correspond directly to the repeating note patterns shown in the other charts. It is learned as its own position.
1st, 5th, 6th, and 7th Position Reference Chart
| 1st | 5th | 6th | 7th |
|---|---|---|---|
| D-1 | G-1 | X | X |
| D-2 | G-2 | G-1 | X |
| D-3 | G-3 | G-2 | G-1 |
| D-4 | G-4 | G-3 | G-2 |
| A-1 | D-1 | G-4 | G-3 |
| A-2 | D-2 | D-1 | G-4 |
| A-3 | D-3 | D-2 | D-1 |
| A-4 | D-4 | D-3 | D-2 |
| E-1 | A-1 | D-4 | D-3 |
| E-2 | A-2 | A-1 | D-4 |
| E-3 | A-3 | A-2 | A-1 |
| E-4 | A-4 | A-3 | A-2 |
| X E-4 | E-1 | A-4 | A-3 |