Why it is not a good idea to neglect 4th position on the violin (exercises included)

Finding yourself playing out of tune in fourth position more than in tune? In this post, discover some great fourth position practice tips.

Fourth position is one of my favorite positions on the violin. Why, you may ask? Well, because I find that it is one of the most neglected positions. It is like rooting for the underdog.

Fourth position is usually a transit position from third position to fifth position.

It also feels a bit like a no man’s land since third and fifth feel so familiar for violinists.

However, the cool thing about first is that the first and fourth finger on the G, D and A strings resonate and can be checked with open strings.

Even though fourth position may feel a bit awkward there are many benefits to learning and strengthening your fourth position violin playing skills.

10 Reasons Not to Neglect Fourth Position

  • Easy to Find

    First finger replaces fourth finger in first position which resonates with your open string except for the E string because as violinists we do not have an open B string. However, B has it’s own special ring.

  • EASY TO HEAR

    First finger on the G, D and A strings and fourth finger are the same pitches as open strings therefore can be checked with open strings.

  • Fourth finger on EVERY string resonates with an open string.

    Easy to check and know when it is out of tune! Great for Intonation.

  • Hand Frame is set on pitches that resonate with open strings.

    Except for first finger B in the E string

  • Smaller distances between fingers than third

    Intervals get smaller the higher you play on the instrument.

  • Excellent position to have in your toolbox for the keys of D, A and E Major/minor

  • Very helpful in orchestral fast passages

    Just today in my practice of Tchaikovsky’s Capriccio Itialliene, fourth position fingering came to my aid in a fast passage eliminating multiple shifts.

  • Reads uniquely

    Does not read like a previous position in the typical position learning order.

  • Fourth Position reads like first position one string lower but an octave higher

    Trivia fun: for example on the D string we have the first finger playing E and the fourth finger playing A in first position. On the A string in fourth position we have the first finger playing E and the fourth finger playing A but an octave higher. Doubt this tidbit of information will help you play better in fourth position but it is fun to know. Yes, I am officially a violin geek and most likely so are you if you are reading this blog post dedicated to fourth position on the violin.

P.S. Looking for an online violin positions immersion program?

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Program pre-requsitie: Playing knowledge of one position outside of first position.

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Happy Magical Practices,

Heather is a classically trained concert violinist residing in Bulgaria. She received her BM violin performance degree from CU-Boulder, studied with top teachers including Rachel Barton Pine. Heather has held leadership positions with multiple orchestras in the Greater Chicago-Milwaukee area. She has instructed millions of violinists globally via Youtube videos, online academies, group coaching and one on one sessions. Heather’s students have won multiple awards, concerto competitions, held concertmaster positions in orchestras and even performed in Carnegie Hall. Heather is an advocate of a holistic violin lifestyle – putting one’s mind, body and spirit as a violin journey priority.

Would love to hear which fourth position practice tips you plan to implement in the comments below.

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