Playing Scales Across Strings — A Major Scale in First Position
Learning scales on a single string is great for understanding intervals, but it’s not how violinists usually play in real music. Most scales move across multiple strings while staying in the same hand position.
In this lesson from Violin Theory Simplified, violinist Dayna Bee explains how scales flow across the violin using first position. You can follow more of her work here: Dayna Bee on Instagram.
Why Play Scales Across Strings?
First position forms the foundation of violin playing. By using multiple strings, you can reach a wider range of notes without shifting your hand up and down the fingerboard. This makes your technique feel smoother and more connected.
When playing across strings, you still follow the same pattern of whole steps and half steps. The difference is that you move from string to string while keeping your hand in the same place.
The A Major Scale — One Octave
The A major scale is one of the most important beginner scales on violin. It uses open strings as natural starting points and helps develop intonation and finger placement.
Start on open A and follow the whole-step and half-step pattern as you move across the strings. Depending on comfort, you can choose between using your fourth finger or an open string for certain notes.
Watch the Lesson
This short tutorial, taught by Dayna Bee, demonstrates how the A major scale moves across strings while staying in first position so you can build strong foundational technique.
If you’re learning from the Violin Theory Simplified book, this video expands on the QR code lesson and helps translate the scale diagram into real playing.