Introduction – Reading Music 101: Staff, Notes & Violin Basics

Music is organized sound. We label those sounds with seven note names:

• A B C D E F G → after G we start again with A (there is no H).

How a written note looks

Each note is an oval. Whether it is filled, empty, or has a stem tells us rhythm (length). In Note Fest we focus on the pitch (note name) and the finger that plays it.

The staff

• 5 Lines + 4 Spaces = the music staff.
• Violins read the treble clef.
• Example positions:
  • 1st line = E • 1st space = F

Memory aids

Lines: Evil Gummy Bears Die First
Spaces: F A C E

Going beyond the staff

Add ledger lines above or below to reach higher or lower notes.

Next: link staff notes to the violin's open strings.

Lesson 1 – Open Strings

The violin's four open strings are G D A E. "Open" means no left-hand fingers.

Where they sit on the staff

• Open G → note below two ledger lines
• Open D → space just below the staff
• Open A → second space
• Open E → top space

In the game, choose the note letter and finger 0 to score XP and unlock Lesson 2.

Lesson 2 – Change a String, Change a Note (A-String)

Add a Finger = Add a Note

Pressing a finger shortens the string, raising the pitch. On the A string:

• Open A (0)
• B (1)
• C♯ (High 2) – mark H/L on every middle finger
• D (3)

Sharp / Flat keys

If the staff shows ♯ or ♭, add it with ↑ (sharp) or ↓ (flat) in the game.

Lesson 3 – Notes on the D String

• Open D → space below staff
• E (1)
• F♯ (High 2)
• G (3)

Unlock this level with 20 XP. Remember: every 2 must be tagged High or Low.

Lesson 4 – Notes on the E String

• Open E → 4th space
• F♯ (1)
• G♯ (High 2) → space above staff
• High A (3) → note on a ledger line

Select all required keys: note letter, ♯/♭ if shown, finger number, and H/L for every 2.

Lesson 5 – Notes on the G String

Ledger-line reading

• Open G → note below two ledger lines (lowest violin pitch)
• A (1) → note on lower ledger line
• B (High 2) → space below single ledger line
• C (3) → note on single ledger line

Why is B a High 2? A–B is a whole step on piano (black key in between), so B-natural matches the "high 2" spacing.

Lesson 6 – Tape Notes on All Four Strings

Same letter ≠ same finger. Examples:

• G0 (open G) • G3 (D string) • G Low 2 (E string)
• A0 (open A) • A1 (G string) • A3 (E string)

You need at least 16 correct answers (often 20-30) to see every tape note randomly selected.

Lesson 7 – Low 2 (Half-Step "Peace → Squeeze")

Low 2 notes

• G string → B♭
• D string → F
• A string → C
• E string → G

Key of G major: Low 2 on A/E, High 2 on G/D (because of F♯).

Typical errors: forgetting to switch between High/Low 2 when moving strings.

Lesson 8 – High 3 (Whole-Step Ring-Finger Stretch)

High 3 positions

• G → C♯ • D → G♯
• A → D♯ • E → A♯

Key of A major: F♯, C♯, G♯ → High 3 on D & G strings, regular 3 on A & E.

Lesson 9 – Low 1 and Low 4

Low 1 (index back)

• G → A♭ • D → E♭ • A → B♭ • E → F

Low 4 (pinky next to 3)

• G → D♭ • D → A♭ • A → E♭ • E → B♭

Key of B-flat major: B♭ & E♭ → every 2 is low, every 3 regular, pinkies vary by string.

Lesson 10 – G-String Practice Set

Drill every first-position note on G: G 0, A♭ L1, A 1, B♭ L2, B H2, C 3, C♯ H3, D♭ L4.

Lesson 11 – D-String Practice Set

Notes: D 0, E♭ L1, E 1, F L2, F♯ H2, G 3, G♯ H3, A♭ L4.

Lesson 12 – A-String Practice Set

Notes: A 0, B♭ L1, B 1, C L2, C♯ H2, D 3, D♯ H3, E♭ L4.

Lesson 13 – E-String Practice Set

Notes: E 0, F L1, F♯ 1, G L2, G♯ H2, A 3, A♯ H3, B♭ L4, B 4 (regular pinky).

Lesson 14 – Enharmonic Notes (Same Sound, Different Name)

An enharmonic pair shares a pitch but has two spellings and often two fingerings.

• C♯ / D♭ on G: High 3 vs Low 4
• G♯ / A♭ on D: High 3 vs Low 4
• A♯ / B♭ on E: High 3 vs Low 4

Choice depends on the key signature (A major uses sharps; B-flat major uses flats).

Lesson 15 – Ultimate First-Position Challenge

Identify every first-position note, using correct finger numbers, H/L for every 2, and accidentals. Review earlier lessons if a note-to-finger match is unclear.

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