Violin Notation Guide — Bowings, Fingerings & Double Stops

Complete violin notation reference — bow direction marks (down-bow, up-bow), articulation symbols, finger numbers, string indications, double stops and harmonics.

Bow Direction Marks

Down-bow: a square-shaped symbol (like a staple pointing down). Up-bow: a V-shaped symbol. These are the most frequently used markings in violin music and must be written clearly and placed above the staff.

Finger Numbers

Violin finger numbers:0=open string,1=index finger,2=middle,3=ring,4=pinky. Fingerings are usually written above the note. For position changes, Roman numerals (I, II, III) indicate which position to play in.

String Indications

The four strings are labeled: G (lowest), D, A, E (highest). When a passage should be played on a specific string, the string name (or Roman numeral: IV=G, III=D, II=A, I=E) is written above the staff.