Answer in D (D)
Single melodic line over harmony in first position in D major
In D major the violin relies on the open third string and the clear resonance of the A string. For F sharp place the second finger a whole step away from the first finger on the D string. Moving to G the third finger rests firmly on the D string or the open G string rings freely. Keep steady bow weight near the contact point to sustain each pitch smoothly.
What the violin plays, bar by bar
The progression
- D
I · Bar 1, 4
- G
IV · Bar 2
- A7
V7 · Bar 3
It runs in 4/4 at 84 beats per minute, so each bar lasts about 2.9 seconds and the whole round about 11.4.
Bar by bar
| Bar | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | D | D4E4F#4A4 |
| 2 | G | B4A4G4F#4 |
| 3 | A7 | E4G4C#5E5 |
| 4 | D | D5A4F#4D4 |
Notes with a dotted border are not part of the chord.
Where each chord sits
- D
Bar 1, D.
The guide notes are D4, the root, and F#4, the major third.
The phrase plays D4 on open string 3, E4 on string 3 with finger 1, F#4 on string 3 with finger 2 and A4 on open string 2.
E is not a note of D.
- G
Bar 2, G.
The guide notes are G4, the root, and B4, the major third.
The phrase plays B4 on string 2 with finger 1, A4 on open string 2, G4 on string 3 with finger 3 and F#4 on string 3 with finger 2.
A and F# are not notes of G.
- A7
Bar 3, A7.
The guide notes are C#5, the major third, and G4, the minor seventh.
The phrase plays E4 on string 3 with finger 1, G4 on string 3 with finger 3, C#5 on string 2 with finger 2 and E5 on open string 1.
- D
Bar 4, D.
The guide notes are D4, the root, and F#4, the major third.
The phrase plays D5 on string 2 with finger 3, A4 on open string 2, F#4 on string 3 with finger 2 and D4 on open string 3.
How the root moves
D4 → G4 → A4 → D4
The roots are D4, G4, A4 and D4. D4 to G4 goes up five semitones, G4 to A4 goes up two semitones and A4 to D4 goes down seven 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.
Answer in D (D) 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
Why is this progression practiced in first position?
First position covers every note across the G, D, and A strings without shifting your left hand, making accurate intonation easier to maintain.
How should the second finger sit for F sharp?
On the D string F sharp sits a whole step away from the first finger on E, establishing the high second finger pattern of the major scale.
What starting tempo is recommended?
A tempo of 84 quarter notes per minute gives your fingers time to prepare placement before the bow changes direction.