As a beginner violinist, chances are you’re eager to play easy violin songs that will show off your new skills. While playing “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” is nice, you’re probably looking for some more popular tunes. For now, it’s a little lofty to expect to play one of Beethoven’s or Bach’s masterpieces right off the bat, but that shouldn’t discourage you. With enough time and patience, you will eventually become a skilled violin player who can perform nearly any kind of song.
The violin is a technical string instrument that requires strict and constant practice, especially when you’re first learning. From finger placement and correct form to posture, every little detail must be accounted for and repeated. The same goes for learning to read easy violin sheet music. Luckily, there are plenty of easy songs to play on the violin to help you practice, many of which you might already know. Before you jump into learning these easy violin songs, however, it’s important to make sure your instrument is in tune. Follow the steps in the video below to tune your violin before you begin playing!
Remember, the most impressive performances are a result of lots of training. Your teacher will provide you with a personalized roadmap to learning the violin, including musical elements such as key signatures, notes, rhythms, and bowings. They’ll also help you avoid the common practicing mistakes many new players make.
If you can find an existing recording of easy violin music, it’s a great idea to play along with it and listen for things like intonation and rhythm.
Here are 15 easy violin pop songs plus, a few in the rock and classical genres to get you started.
Easy Violin Songs: Pop
If you’re looking for some easy, pop violin sheet music for free, websites such as 8Notes have samples of sheet music available at no cost. We’ve also included a link to purchase professional sheet music compilations that contain these popular tunes, including easy violin sheet music with letters. You’ll find these links alongside the videos below.
Whether you want to impress your friends at a party or just expand your repertoire of easy violin music, these four pop violin songs are a great place to start. While they might not sound like beginner violin songs, these songs are fairly easy to master with some practice. Remember to start slow and focus on intonation, then gradually work the melody up to tempo.
Over The Rainbow
Even though this song was composed for “The Wizard of Oz” back in 1939, this is still considered a pop song and one of the most well-known in music. The opening octave in the first measure (low C to high C) is tricky because you have to cross over the D string when going from the G string to the A string. Practice the string crossing first on open strings before you try adding the fingers. Click here for the sheet music.
All About That Bass
It’s hard not to sing along with this catchy tune by American singer, Meghan Trainor, so if you know the lyrics to this song, definitely sing along as you play. It will help you with the syncopated rhythms. For the Bb to B natural change in the first measure, it’s alright to have an audible slide as that will mimic the vocal line. Click here for easy violin sheet music.
A Whole New World
We can all thank the 1992 animated classic “Aladdin” for introducing the world to this amazing tune. In this song, the syncopated and quarter note triplet rhythms can be confusing at first. Try playing along with a recording of the song to see if you can hear how those rhythms are played. You can even sing along while you play if that helps. Click here for the sheet music.
Old Joe Clark
This fiddle tune sounds impressive when you play it fast, but it’s not very difficult because of all the repeated notes. Practice the rhythmic pattern on open strings first to make sure you feel it in your bow arm, then add the written notes. This is a great song to show your friends how much you’ve progressed in your learning experience. Click here for the easy violin sheet music.
SEE ALSO: THE 5 BEST VIOLIN SONGS OF ALL TIME
Easy Violin Songs: Rock
Are you ready to rock out with these classic tunes? These beginner songs to play on violin are sure to “wow” your rock ’n’ roll audience. Use the simple tips below to help you perfect any of these violin songs, and don’t forget to jam along with the recordings!
Another One Bites The Dust
This classic tune by the British rock band Queen sounds insane on the violin. The 16th notes in this song are tricky, but if you spend some time counting and clapping the rhythm, you’ll know it cold. You could also practice singing the lyrics, as they have the rhythm built into them. Click here for the sheet music.
Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds
Everyone knows “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” is one of the most famous Beatles songs, but it will no doubt challenge you when you’re learning how to play it on the violin. Watch out for the key change and time signature change in this piece. The feel of the music changes when going from 3/4 to 4/4, so try clapping the two meters first, making an accent on the first beat of each measure. Click here for the sheet music.
She Loves You
This is a fast song, but don’t try to play it fast right away. For the syncopated sections, try counting and clapping them first to make sure you understand the rhythm. It’s ok to clap them slowly at first and then work up the speed over a bunch of repetitions. Click here for the sheet music.
Stairway To Heaven
In the opening section, use fourth finger for the high E (instead of the E string) because you don’t have any notes higher than E. Practice those G to A slurs to make sure your bow arm is creating the slur cleanly between the D and A strings. Click here for the violin sheet music.
Hotel California
The Eagles gave us so many great songs from “Desperado” and “Lyin’ Eyes” to “Already Gone,” but “Hotel California” might be their best. In the verse, the rhythm for each phrase can be slightly different. If you’re just playing for fun, don’t be afraid to simplify the rhythms a bit, or repeat just one verse. In the chorus, try to mimic the vocal echo on “such a lovely place” and “any time of year” by playing the first time loud and the second time soft. Click here for the violin sheet music.
Easy Violin Songs: Classical
These easy classical songs to play on violin are perfect for your first performance. Not only do these beginner violin songs sound beautiful, but they are fairly easy to perfect. Again, use the helpful tips below to guide you throughout your practice.
Minuet 2
The opening arpeggio in this Bach piece sounds impressive if you can play it cleanly. Practice it slowly first to feel where the bow changes strings. If you move your bow arm too much, you’ll overshoot the A string on your way to the E string. Click here for the violin sheet music.
Hunter’s Chorus
Have fun with the 16th notes in this piece. They add excitement and vitality to the song. The string changes on the 16th notes are tricky to line with your left hand fingers, so be sure to practice them slowly at first. Really dig into the accents in the second half of the piece. Click here for the violin sheet music.
Fanfare Minuet
The repeated notes in this song let you play faster than in other songs. Challenge yourself to play all the eighth notes cleanly, and to make distinct accents. Click here for the sheet music.
Morning Has Broken
The three-note slurs in this piece can be tricky, especially the ones that include string changes. Isolate the parts of the slurs that are hardest and make a little exercise for yourself that you can do as part of your warm up. Click here for the sheet music.
What Child Is This
This is a great song to practice legato playing, as well a playing with two flats. Remember to use your fourth finger on the A string to play the high Eb’s. Click here for the violin sheet music.
Your Own Unique Songs
In addition to the popular tunes we’ve explored above, everyone has their own favorites. Look within your community to find songs that are meaningful to your friends and loved ones, and then have them all sing along as you play. From Celtic anthem fiddling to simple violin notes for Tamil songs, these four-stringed instruments play an important role in cultures around the globe.
What easy songs to play on violin are favorites in your culture or community? Let us know in the comments below!
Ready for More Songs to Play on Violin?
Playing the violin should be fun, so when you’re just starting out, stick with learning easy violin music that is appealing to you. Once you’ve practiced hard and learned a new song, share it with your family and friends by making a video or audio recording. You can even learn a few beginner violin songs and invite some of your supporters over for a mini violin performance!
Though these videos are a great resource for learning new violin tunes, the best way to expand your musical knowledge is through violin lessons. Studying with a professional teacher is a must for making the most out of the violin, no matter what style you want to play.
Looking for even more songs to play? Check out these 50 easy songs to play on violin.