Sway in G (G)
Three-beat slurred phrase returning to G in triple meter
In three-quarter time each measure flows under a single slurred stroke covering three continuous beats. Moving from G major to C major cross smoothly from the D string to the A string, placing the second finger close to the first for C natural. In D7 the second finger returns to F sharp on the D string.
What the violin plays, bar by bar
The progression
- G
I · Bar 1, 4
- C
IV · Bar 2
- D7
V7 · Bar 3
It runs in 3/4 at 90 beats per minute, so each bar lasts about 2 seconds and the whole round about 8.
Bar by bar
| Bar | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | G | B4D5B4 |
| 2 | C | C5E5C5 |
| 3 | D7 | C5A4F#4 |
| 4 | G | G4B4G4 |
Notes with a dotted border are not part of the chord.
Where each chord sits
- G
Bar 1, G.
The guide notes are B4, the major third, and D5, the fifth.
The phrase plays B4 on string 2 with finger 1, D5 on string 2 with finger 3 and B4 on string 2 with finger 1.
The last note sits a semitone from the first note of C.
- C
Bar 2, C.
The guide notes are C5, the root, and E5, the major third.
The phrase plays C5 on string 2 with finger 2, E5 on open string 1 and C5 on string 2 with finger 2.
- D7
Bar 3, D7.
The guide notes are C5, the minor seventh, and F#4, the major third.
The phrase plays C5 on string 2 with finger 2, A4 on open string 2 and F#4 on string 3 with finger 2.
The last note sits a semitone from the first note of G.
- G
Bar 4, G.
The guide notes are B4, the major third, and G4, the root.
The phrase plays G4 on string 3 with finger 3, B4 on string 2 with finger 1 and G4 on string 3 with finger 3.
How the root moves
G4 → C5 → D4 → G4
The roots are G4, C5, D4 and G4. G4 to C5 goes up five semitones, C5 to D4 goes down ten semitones and D4 to G4 goes up five semitones.
The lowest note of the circle is D4 and the highest E5. It uses strings 3, 2 and 1. Strings 3, 2 and 1 ring open at some point.
Sway in G (G) melodic line for violin
One measure per chord with the first position slurred phrase for four-string violin (G, D, A, E).
Show violin sheet music in treble clef
Questions about this violin progression
How should bow distribution work in slurred 3/4 time?
Mentally divide the bow into three equal portions and draw it at a consistent speed so every beat shares equal projection.
Where does C natural sit on the A string?
C natural is played with a low second finger touching the first finger on B, with no space between them.
Why does the return to G feel so resolved?
The seventh of D7 resolves down by half step into the third of G major, bringing melodic closure.