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Notes placement problem E note
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Amos Elgali

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January 30, 2016 - 12:57 pm
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I'm a real beginner and Ijust bought my first violin. I tuned it with an app that tells the note frequency anf everything was ok when i played open strings. But now that im trying to find where I need to put my first finger for ( A E B F#) it seems that i need to put my fingee much lower for the F# than the rest of the strings.... 

Is there something I'm doing wrong? Is there something wrong with my violin? 

Please help me! 

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damfino
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January 30, 2016 - 1:21 pm
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I know others like using tuning apps, but I didn't have good success using those, and use the kind that clip on the scroll. I personally use the Snark, but there are other brands out there. So before worrying that something is wrong with your violin, I would suggest making sure that it is truly in tune. Start with simple solutions and work your way out :)  

You can also test your E string by playing the E on one of your other strings, and then bowing your open E string to see if they sound like the same note, or if it sounds off.

I'm sure others will pop in with more advice :)  

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fiddle chick
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January 30, 2016 - 4:58 pm
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I also feel like my finger is further down (or you might say up) on the E string, but it really isn't. It's just the perception that it's further because of the angle of the instrument and the way I have to curl up my finger to reach the E string as opposed to stretching it out a little for the other strings. If I place my finger exactly on the F# and then hold the instrument up and look at it from the side, my finger is exactly where it's supposed to be, and in line with the notes on the other strings, but when I put it back into playing postition, it appears to be further down the string than if I was playing the same spot on a different string. Also, the angle in which your finger lands on the string can make it seem like you're in the wrong spot. I tend to play right on the very tips of my fingers, with my fingers as upright as possible. But when playing the E string, it's hard to get my finger straight up (I have long fingers), so I end up playing a little more on the pads of my fingers instead of the tips. That makes it seem as though I'm putting my finger down in the wrong position, but it's all about which part of the finger is hitting the string, and how it appears as you're looking down the neck.   I hope that all made sense.

Let the bow flow.

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Amos Elgali

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February 1, 2016 - 6:36 am
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Thank you for the replies... But i checked and the tuning is ok and ut is actually lower even when i just check it on my knees. 

I think my fingerboard projection  might be too low. Could it have anything to do with the problem I'm having with the e string? 

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BillyG
Brora, North-east Scotland
February 1, 2016 - 1:09 pm
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Hmmm...  my response ain't gonna help you - that just sounds baffling.   I was only really adding to / agreeing with @fiddle chick's fine analyses, that I've observed what she says.  

I also had similar/related type problems on the G when I started out - my beginner's "death-grip" on the neck made it difficult to land the finger where wanted without the finger actually "stretching out automatically" - so I was going sharp on each note on the G.  I know that's not your problem - as I say just adding to comment above.

If the fingerboard is WAY out, it might be noticeable - but - at only one tone-step from the open, I would doubt it - the difference would be marginal - it may make a much more observable difference when playing MUCH further up the neck as the clearance from string to fingerboard increases, depending on whether you're "aiming for the string or aiming for the fingerboard" so to speak....

The Snark is in use here as well, just for the open string tuning - I've never used it to "tell me what note I'm playing" ( LOL, maybe I should !!!!! )

Silly question - you say "much lower" - interesting that that is the only sharpened note - does the app clearly differentiate between F and F#  - because "much lower" (like "half way to where you would expect it" ) would be F, not F#...  very strange though.... (yes, I said it was a silly question, but, you never know...)

I know, not much help there - keep us advised on your findings though - I find it hard to believe that there is something fundamentally wrong with your violin !

I seriously recommend not copying my mistakes. D'oh - guntohead.JPG

Please make your own, different mistakes, and help us all learn :-)

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