The idea here was to link the treble stave to an animated fingerboard of a virtual violin so that as you hear a note you are able to see where it lives on the instrument.
You can use it in one of two main ways; click on or tap on the fingerboard diagram with your finger/mouse to sound out individual note. Alternatively, choose a quiz or song to load then press the start button to let it flow through by itself using the playback controls.
How to Use the Virtual Violin Tool
It divide your focus between fingering and reading. On one side is a normal-looking music staff (top). Notes is added to this as you choose a tune or as you play. Ledger lines and any accidentals is included.
The other is a diagram of a fingerboard in first position. This have the four strings: E, A, D and G running vertically. Where your fingers would go are marked by horizontal lines.
If you tap a point on the fingerboard, it will sound the note and write it out on the music above. This establishes a direct connection that strengthen note learning and helps develop muscle memory for placing your fingers.
At the top right of the session are several buttons that control it. There’s a fullscreen button that brings the widget up onto your computer full screen. This is handy for when you’re on a small device or just don’t wish to be distracted while practicing. An escape key exits fullscreen mode too.
Another button bring up the help section with a detailed explanation about how the fingerings and notation work within the widget.
The other set of buttons below the staff allow for different types of practice modes. There are two pre-sets: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and Ode to Joy. Both are traditional student pieces staying in first position. When a tune has been selected, simply press the play button to begin performing it. The cursor will then move along the stave as the matching finger spot illuminates on the board.
Rather than wait for the flash to light up, try to read the notes ahead of time. It’s the single best thing you can learn from using this device, to be an active reader.
The quiz mode, where you have to locate a given note on the staff, is available too. It displays a random note on the staff and you’re challenged to play that note on the fingerboard. It records your high score along with your current streak of successful notes. The best bit is it lets you know if you’ve hit the wrong one. It will show you what finger or string you played. So you can immediatley pinpoint areas for improvement.
There’s another button for playing the A major scale. It drills the standard finger frame up and down. This is a great exercise for warming up the left hand and checking intonations.
The display can be customized with a couple of toggle buttons. There’s a button for turning the names on and off. If on, each note has its letter name displayed beneath the staff. This can come in handy when initially learning how to read treble clef notation. Once you’re feeling comfortabley, simply toggle it off.
There’s also a Clear button that sets everything back to blank. This comes in handy if you’ve been working at it for a while and your screen is getting cluttered or you just want to start from scratch.
Use your computer keyboard to navigate more easly. Load songs by pressing the corresponding number keys (1 & 2). Start/pause playback with the Space bar. Turn on/off quiz mode by pressing the Q button. Open/close the help panel with the question mark key. With these shortcuts, you can minimize your mouse movements and keep your hands closer to the keys.
A slider for volume control sits in the lower right corner. If you use headphones for late-night practice or share your space with others, then this will be important. They are designed to try and copy the character of how a bow would be played across a string. It also adds some harmonic richness to the sound that make it enjoyable to hear.
A useful tip for practicing is this: As you play, count aloud which finger it is. So if you’re playing F sharp on the D string, say two aloud. That will link your hand with your brain quicker then just seeing a note written down. It makes it an active thing rather than a silent one.
Don’t rush through these songs. Listen back and pick up the rhythm from there and try tapping in time yourself.
It is a miniature exercise buddy. No more set up hassles. Just get right down to the basics of fingering and reading. This is ideal for beginners who want to try out the violin or students looking back over their first position studies.
So what are you waiting for? You should of started using the widget and get going.