playing on the G string
violin pedagogy

Pick A Daisy – G String Game

Here is fingerboard game called Pick A Daisy a G string game. Reinforce fingerboard letters with a fun game away from the violin. This game covers the pitches in first position on the G string for 1st finger – A, 2nd finger – B, 3rd finger – C and 4th finger – D. You can also use Pick A Daisy G string game with viola students. Since the pitches and finger numbers on both instruments, students can play together. And you can play Pick A Daisy while listening to your recording! A win, win!

Fingerboard ID on the G String

Since I use the Suzuki violin method the first piece to use the G string is Allegretto. It uses the first finger – A on the G string. I like to teach the G string notes using the G Major 1 octave scale beginning on open G. When teaching G string pitches, I tell the student, that all the letters we use on the G string only have 1 name. There are no sharps! We only have to say letters! 

Violin Activities on the G String

At this point have your student transpose pieces they know into G major. Giant Twinkle beginning on the G string. Their fingers know the finger numbers, but their ear is learning to adjust to the different timbre of the G and D string. Their bow arm is also learning the different level that it needs to play on the G string cleanly and even move to the D string.

Flowers with letters from the G string in the Center

How to Play Pick A Daisy:

  1. Each player chooses the type of coin the want to use. (Pennies or dimes)
  2. Place your coins in a pile or a cup near the game board.
  3. Take turns rolling the dice. The number on the dice is a finger number on the left hand. Place a coin on the flower that matches the G string letter for the finger number rolled.
  4. The first player to place all the coins on the game board wins.
  5. If you roll and there is no letter that matches the finger number, the next players takes a turn.

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