Names of Violin Strings and Where To Find Them

One of the very first things a beginning violin student needs to learn is the names of the four strings and where to find them on the instrument. Knowing your strings by name is essential for reading music, following a teacher's instructions, and understanding how the violin is tuned.

The Four Violin Strings

The violin has four strings, each with a distinct name and pitch. From lowest to highest, they are:

• G String — the thickest string, producing the lowest, richest tone. It is the string furthest from you when holding the violin in playing position.
• D String — the second string from the left, with a warm, mellow sound.
• A String — the second string from the right, bright and clear in tone.
• E String — the thinnest string, producing the highest pitch. It is the string closest to you when holding the violin in playing position, and is typically made of steel.

How to Remember the String Names

A helpful way to remember the order of the strings from lowest to highest is the phrase: "Good Dogs Always Eat" — G, D, A, E. Many beginning students find this memory trick useful when first learning to identify the strings by ear and by sight.

Where to Find the Strings on the Instrument

When you hold the violin in playing position — with the instrument resting under your chin and the scroll pointing to the left — the strings run from the tailpiece at the bottom of the instrument up over the bridge and fingerboard to the pegs at the scroll. The G string is on your left (furthest from your chin), and the E string is on your right (closest to your chin).

How the Strings Are Tuned

Each string is tuned to a specific pitch using the pegs at the scroll and, for fine adjustments, the fine tuners on the tailpiece. The standard tuning for violin strings is:

• G — 196 Hz
• D — 293.7 Hz
• A — 440 Hz
• E — 659.3 Hz

Learning the names and positions of the strings is one of the most foundational steps in beginning violin. Once you know your strings, you're ready to start placing your fingers, reading notes on the staff, and making music!

by Rozanna Weinberger