Playing the Open Strings on a Violin: TQ Find Level One
- Chris Caton-Greasley
- Mar 1
- 8 min read
Updated: Mar 29
Introduction
Being able to play open strings well is a crucial skill for playing the violin, this open string work is foundational. The violin has four open strings, G3, D4, A4 and E5. Practicing open strings allows beginners to develop a confident bowing technique, freeing them from the immediate demands of note reading and pitch accuracy. This practice builds a strong bowing technique and strengthens the right hand (Provenzale et al., 2021).
Playing the open strings on a violin using semibreves, minims and crotchets is a great way to practice your bowing technique and develop a strong foundation for playing the violin.
It is essential to understand the visual representations in these notes, imagine reading a book and having to stop every letter or word to work it out - you would never reach the end of the book. It is the same with music, being able to recognise these note values on the page frees up the mind to focus on pitch.
There is a lot to think about when playing the violin but don’t forget to listen carefully to the sound. You should aim to produce a clear resonant tone. This can be achieved by not applying excessive hand weight to the violin bow as you draw it over the strings. Aim to keep the bow parallel to the bridge, remember it is an optical illusion if it looks straight there is a good chance it is not, use a mirror for practice. Avoid sudden changes in pressure or speed, the distribution should be even over the bow stroke. A faster bow speed will produce an energetic and march or dance character while with a slower bow music is more melodic, slower and softer. Listen for the change in character as you use different bow speeds in tour practice. Try to ensure, at this stage, the change between speeds is smooth and unrushed.
There is a lot to consider when learning the violin. Studies have demonstrated that a student's mental focus can significantly influence their playing. Consciously directing attention during practice can help regulate arm tension, refine tone quality, control bow speed, and optimize physical movement (Allingham, Burger and Wöllner, 2021).
Remember learning the violin is a journey with lots of small steps. Concentrate on the item we are learning, not the big picture. Remember everyone has their own journey with different challenges, there are no comparisons or targets you have to reach. Enjoy the journey and progress will happen.
AI Generated Podcast Created from the Article
Please excuse the pronunciation of bowing (violin style) as bowing (the bending of the upper part of the body)
NotebookLM (Google NotebookLM) is a research and note-taking online tool developed by Google Labs that uses artificial intelligence (AI), specifically Google Gemini, to assist users in interacting with their documents. The audio below is a 'podcast' created from this article that can be heard on https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/ba0af3d4-8c8d-4714-bae1-c35537219e3b/audio or on Spotify.
Metronome
It is vital to play using a steady tempo. The videos are played at sixty beats per minute that means the metronome should be set at 60. You can find a free online metronome via the Google browser by typing in Online Metronome or there are many apps that can be downloaded onto your phone, tablet or device.
Listen to the ticks and try to count four ticks from the semibreve, two ticks for the minim and one tick for the crotchet. It is good practice to practice tapping your foot along with the metronome so it becomes automatic. The metronome can also be used with rhythm exercises. If you find playing with a tick difficult you can always try playing along with a 4 count drum beat at 60 bpm, there are many options on YouTube.
Introducing the Notes
The note values used in this blog are from TQ Find | Focus 5 where note values are introduced.
Semibreve (Whole Note)
A semibreve, the longest commonly used note value, is represented by an open oval note head. When playing a semibreve on an open string, you should bow the string slowly and evenly, making sure to use the full length of the bow. Hold the note for the full four beats.
Minim (Half Note)
A minim is half the length of a semibreve, and it is represented by an open oval note head. When playing a minim on an open string, you should bow the string for two beats.
Crotchet (Quarter Note)
A crotchet is half the length of a minim, and it is represented by a filled-in note head with a stem. When playing a crotchet on an open string, you should bow the string for one beat.
 |  |  |
A semibreve is held for four beats | A minim is held for two beats. | A crotchet is held for one beat. |
Posture and Violin Hold
Before you begin, ensure you have a comfortable and balanced posture. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, your back straight, and your shoulders relaxed. Hold the violin securely with your left shoulder and chin, ensuring your left hand is relaxed and your thumb is not gripping the neck. Maintain a relaxed right arm and wrist, allowing the bow to move freely.
Pitch Worksheets
On this blog the focus is to play on each individual string. The right arm will change angle on each string. When you change the angle, watch carefully that the arm changes position and the bow remains parallel to the bridge. The worksheets are to be used as a guide. The full focus is to be directed to producing a beautiful sound, keeping the bow straight and having a correct posture. Use the videos below to play along with or watch the demonstration videos by students who have worked on this in the past. You can download the worksheets below.
Downloads
Download these free worksheets to follow the music for the videos below. Each sheet contains the music for the three videos.
Play Along Solo Videos (60 bpm)
Using these play along video sets help to maintain a steady pulse and encourage familiarity with the pitches. Due to this it is important to ensure your violin is tuned before starting to practise. Use a tuner that shows a clear note name and a measurement in cents. The open string needs to be within 5 cents of the zero measurement.
In addition to tuning your instrument, remember to warm up your muscles before playing. This includes rotating your arms, head, shoulders and hands to warm up all the muscles being used in the exercises.
D String Exercises
A String Exercises
E string Exercises
G string Exercises
Practice Tips
Start by practicing playing each note value on each of the four open strings using a full bow per note..
Once you are comfortable playing each note value on each string, try playing different combinations of note values.
You can write them in your manuscript book.
A4 10 staves https://amzn.to/41csXxm
A5 6 larger staves https://amzn.to/4bmQCjl
Note these are Amazon Associate links that help fund our students' motivational programmes.
The most important thing is to practice regularly and to focus on developing a strong bowing technique.
Effective practice is about developing problem-solving skills and refining techniques through repetition, not just mindless repetition but adjusting each time with the aim to improve (Bernstein , 2019).
Actions that are goal-driven, imagine the action being taken, take action, be aware of any mistakes then repeat making adjustments. Write down your results in your learning journal. This is an important part of practice. (Buy a Learning Journal from Amazon https://amzn.to/4icq4DE Note this is an Amazon Associate links that help fund our students' motivational programmes. ) (Fiona Mary Vilnite and Marnauza, 2024)
Student Quick Quiz
What is the primary focus when practicing open strings with semibreves, minims, and crotchets?
What is the visual representation of a semibreve note, and how many beats does it represent?
Explain how to properly bow a semibreve on an open string.
How does the visual representation of a minim differ from that of a semibreve?
How many beats does a minim represent, and how should it be bowed on an open string?
What does a crotchet note look like, and how many beats does it represent?
How should a crotchet be bowed when playing it on an open string?
Why is practicing open strings with different note values beneficial for beginner violinists?
What three elements should students focus on when working through the worksheets?
What is the most important thing when practicing violin?
Glossary
Open String: A string on a violin that is played without pressing it down with a finger.
Semibreve: The longest note value in music, equal to four beats (also known as a whole note). Represented by an open oval note head.
Minim: A note value equal to half the length of a semibreve, or two beats (also known as a half note). Represented by an open oval note head with a stem.
Crotchet: A note value equal to half the length of a minim, or one beat (also known as a quarter note). Represented by a filled-in note head with a stem.
Note Value: The duration for which a note is held.
Bowing Technique: The method and skill used to draw the bow across the violin strings to produce sound.
Posture: The way someone holds their body.
Staves: The five lines and four spaces on which musical notes are written.
Bridge: The wooden structure that lifts the strings above the fingerboard..
Cents: A measurement of pitch in music. The distance between two notes, covering an octave, is split into twelve equal parts of 100 cents.
Teacher Training Essay Questions
Discuss the importance of mastering open string exercises in early violin training. How do these exercises contribute to a violinist's fundamental skills?
Describe your personal experience practicing open string exercises. What challenges did you encounter, and how did you overcome them?
Explain how the duration of notes (semibreve, minim, crotchet) impacts the rhythm and musicality of a piece. Provide examples of how changing the note values can alter the feel of a simple melody.
Describe the relationship between bowing technique and sound production on the violin.
How does proper bowing contribute to producing a beautiful and consistent tone?
Analyse the role of demonstration and play-along videos in the learning process for beginner violinists.
How do these resources support and enhance traditional practice methods?
Discuss the connection between regular practice and the development of strong bowing technique.
Why is consistency crucial, and what are some strategies for maintaining a regular practice schedule?
TQ Tutor Skill Summary
In the Elementary Programme there are four levels with seven TQ Zones in each level. Each Zone is split into seven interrelated Zones.
The items used in this worksheet are:
TQ Develop Zone | Focus 9 Posture and violin hold.
TQ Find Zone | Focus 1 & 2 ‘Read and Play’ & ‘Read and Write’ notes.
TQ Find Zone | Focus 5 & 6 ‘Play and Write’ notes.
TQ Find Zone | Focus 4 A steady beat via metronome, drum beat or reverse metronome
TQ Explore Zone | Focus 11 & 12 Rhythm patterns
TQ Create Zone | Focus 1, 2, 3, 10 & 11 Create a rhythm pattern.
Reference list
Allingham, E., Burger, B. and Wöllner, C. (2021). Motor Performance in Violin bowing: Effects of Attentional Focus on acoustical, Physiological and Physical Parameters of a sound-producing Action. Journal of New Music Research, [online] pp.1–19. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/09298215.2021.1978506.
Bernstein , N. (2019). N. Bernstein - the Coordination and Regulation of Movements : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive. [online] Internet Archive. Available at: https://archive.org/details/bernsteinthecoordinationandregulationofmovements/page/n9/mode/1up?view=theater [Accessed 1 Mar. 2025].
Fiona Mary Vilnite and Marnauza, M. (2024). Repetition and practice. Developing Mental Training with Young violinists: a Collaboration. Frontiers in Psychology, [online] 15. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1327763.
Provenzale, C., Di Stefano, N., Noccaro, A. and Taffoni, F. (2021). Assessing the Bowing Technique in Violin Beginners Using MIMU and Optical Proximity Sensors: a Feasibility Study. Sensors, [online] 21(17), p.5817. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/s21175817.