When you first pick up the violin, most lessons focus on melodies and single notes. But did you know you can also play chords on the violin? Chords add harmony, depth, and richness to your sound, even if you’re just starting out.
In this guide, you’ll discover the ultimate violin chords chart for beginners—from simple open-string combinations to easy fingered chords that make your playing sound full and professional.
What Are Violin Chords?
On the violin, chords are usually played as:
- Double Stops → Playing two notes at once (most common).
- Triple Stops → Playing three strings together (often rolled).
- Quadruple Stops → Playing four notes, quickly across all strings.
For beginners, double stops are the best place to start.
Beginner-Friendly Open-String Chords
Here are the first chords every new violin player should practice:
- G + D strings together → A deep, resonant harmony.
- D + A strings together → Bright and balanced sound.
- A + E strings together → Clear and expressive tone.
These chords require no finger placement—just bow across the two strings together.
Easy Fingered Violin Chords
Once you’re comfortable with open-string chords, add fingers to create real harmonies.
- D Major (D–F#–A) → Open D, F# (2nd finger on D), Open A
- G Major (G–B–D) → Open G, B (1st finger on A), Open D
- A Minor (A–C–E) → Open A, C (1st finger on A), Open E
These beginner violin chords allow you to play along with songs and create beautiful harmony.
The Ultimate Violin Chords Chart
Here’s a simple chart of useful major and minor violin chords for beginners:
| Chord | Notes on Violin | Fingering Tip |
|---|---|---|
| C Major | C – E – G | 1st finger on A for C, 1st finger on D for E, Open G |
| D Major | D – F# – A | Open D, 2nd finger on D for F#, Open A |
| G Major | G – B – D | Open G, 1st finger on A for B, Open D |
| A Minor | A – C – E | Open A, 1st finger on A for C, Open E |
| E Minor | E – G – B | Open E, 3rd finger on D for G, 1st finger on A for B |
Conclusion
This ultimate violin chords chart gives you everything you need to start playing harmonies on the violin. Begin with simple double stops, move to easy fingered chords, and keep practicing daily. Before long, you’ll be able to add richness and depth to any melody you play.