5 Irish Fiddle Tunes to Play for St. Patrick's Day (With Sheet Music)

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Grab your violin and get ready to celebrate St. Patrick’s day with these 5 Irish songs that sound great on the fiddle!

If you want more Irish Fiddling fun, check out my course, Learn to Play Irish Fiddle in my online studio.

In addition to these great Irish tunes, I’ve got several other tutorials on some fun fiddle classics, like Swallowtail Jig and Red-Haired Boy.

Let’s start our list of great Irish fiddle tunes to play on St. Patrick’s day with a little Whiskey in the Jar!

Whiskey in the Jar: Irish Fiddle Sheet Music

A classic Irish tune, Whiskey in the Jar is perfect for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. Need some help with adding in bowings?

2. Black Velvet Band: Irish Fiddle Sheet Music

I love this classic Irish song, Black Velvet Band. A little less rollicking than Whiskey in the Jar, but still a great Irish tune that sounds good on the fiddle. Black Velvet Band is in 6/8 time so remember the 8th note gets the beat!

3. Rosin the Bow: Irish Fiddle Sheet Music

While not one of the most famous of Irish songs, Rosin the Bow is one of my personal favorites when it comes to Irish music that sounds great on the fiddle. Need help rosing your bow? Find that and more beginner violin lessons here.

4. Irish Washerwoman: St. Patrick’s Day Fiddle Music

What St. Patrick’s day celebration would be complete without this class Irish fiddling tune?

If you need help learning to play this classic Irish tune, I’ve got a complete tutorial on how to play Irish Washerwoman (with scale warm-ups). Find the tutorial here.

5. Danny Boy: Irish Tunes for Violin

It might night be as lively as Irish Washerwoman, but Danny Boy is such a classic Irish tune that I had to include it in a list of great St. Patrick’s Day fiddle tunes. It’s a great song to end your celebration on, and hey, you can always jazz it up!

If you want to download any of these Irish songs, sign up for my online studio where you’ll get access to 800+ violin lessons and access to a downloadable sheet music library with over 200 songs and books just for violin and fiddle). See you over there!

Enjoy fiddling this St. Patrick’s Day!

Happy Practicing!

3 Easy Fiddle Tunes for Violin (Free Sheet Music)

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These 3 fiddle tunes for violin sound a lot more difficult than they are! If you are learning to play the violin or teaching yourself to play violin, you’ve probably heard these 3 famous fiddle tunes. I’ve also got tutorials for each tune to show you how to play them and impress your fiddling friends!

No matter what your level of playing, stick with your fiddling practice routine. Before you start playing, always warm-up with my fiddling warm-ups and scales. Then start practicing slowly. Gradually ease up the tempo. Remember, as you play faster use less bow. If you are really ready to start fiddling, check out my favorite fiddle books

Helpful Resources

Devil’s Dream Violin Sheet Music

Devil’s Dream is a classic fiddle tune. Do you see the pattern? Almost every measure is repeated twice. The measures with string crossings (measures 3-4 and measures 9-10) can be tricky. Practice them slowly in the middle of the bow. Also for measure 3, make sure you have your first finger flattened to cover both the B on the A string and the F# on the E string.

===>Click here for the Devil’s Dream Tutorial.

 

Swallowtail Jig Violin Sheet Music

Like many Irish Jigs, Swallowtail Jig is in 6/8 time, meaning there are 6 notes in a measure and the 8th note gets the beat. Quarter notes get 2 beats and dotted quarter notes get 3 beats. In the first full measure keep your first finger down on the D and A string at the same time so you can quickly play those notes.

===>Click here to download the free sheet music for Swallowtail Jig. You can also learn all the tips and tricks of Swallowtail Jig with my video lesson on Swallowtail Jig for violin. There’s also a play-along track for Swallowtail Jig on the violin and a fiddle duet for Swallowtail Jig.

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Irish Washerwoman Violin Sheet Music

Once you’ve gotten a handle on 6/8 time, try sheet music for Irish Washerwoman. Keep fingers down as much as possible to help you play the notes quickly.

===>Click here to get the free sheet music for Irish Washerwoman + my tutorial!

P.S. If you’re tired of that cheap violin you bought on Amazon and you’re ready to REALLY enjoy playing the violin, I’m here to help you out! I’m on a mission to ban VSOs (violin-shaped-objects). Check out my ultimate guide to he best teacher-approved beginner and intermediate violins.

NOW you can practice happy :)

How to Play Auld Lang Syne on the Violin (Easy Violin Sheet Music)

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Start practicing Auld Lang Syne on the violin to get ready for the New Year! This easy violin sheet music for Auld Lang Syne will make you the star of any New Year’s party!


How To Play Auld Lang Syne on the Violin

First of all, notice the key signature: one sharp. That means all your second fingers on the D string will be “high” or next to 3rd finger. All your 2nd fingers on the A and E strings will be “low” or next to 1st finger.

Notice how the rhythm in the first full measure is repeated throughout the song but just with different notes? That can make it a lot easier to play.

Auld Lang Syne on the violin is relatively slow, so use lots of bow for a great sound!

How to Play Auld Lang Syne on the Violin

In this video lesson on Auld Lang Syne, I’ll teach you how to play this classic song!

Auld Lang Syne Violin Sheet Music

Auld Lang Syne Violin Sheet Music

Happy Practicing and Happy New Year!

How to Play “Silent Night”: Violin Tutorial and Free Sheet Music

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“Silent Night” sounds absolutely beautiful on the violin. But it can be deceptively tricky to get that “Silent Night” sound. In this tutorial I’ll show you how to avoid certain areas of the bow to get that smooth sound you want. We’ll also talk about finger patterns, stretching for those difficult fourth fingers, and how to use your bow to make the beginning and ending notes magical!

Let’s get started learning “Silent Night” on the violin! First download your free sheet music below and then watch the tutorial for all of my tips and tricks. Then play-along with me!

Download and Print Your Free Silent Night Violin Sheet Music Here

Click here to download the free sheet music for Silent Night.

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Sign up for my newsletter below and you’ll get updates anytime I upload new song tutorials (plus get some free violin printable goodies as well!)

Now watch the tutorial here and let’s learn “Silent Night” together on the violin!

Easy Christmas Violin Duets (Violin Sheet Music)

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The holidays are a perfect time to get together and play Christmas duets (or trios) with fellow violinists. I absolutely love transcribing these easy Christmas duets for two violins. Here’s a collection of some of my favorite carols arranged for two or three violins.

Angels We Have Heard On High Violin Trio Sheet Music

Angels We Have Heard On High is beautiful carol that is perfect for a duet or trio. In this version, those descending scales alternate between first and second violin. The third violin part features whole notes so any brand new beginner can join along!

Angels We Have Heard on High Trio for Three Violins

Angels We Have Heard on High Trio for Three Violins

Angels We Have Heard on High Violin Duet

Apparently I like transcribing this Christmas song for two violins because I found not one version, but TWO in my Sheet Music Library. I’ve transcribed hundreds of songs for violin and violin duets and trios, so I guess sometimes I can’t remember which Christmas carols I’ve already made into duets! Try both versions and see which one you like better!

The First Noel Violin Trio Sheet Music

One of my favorite Christmas carols is The First Noel. No Christmas violin duet list would be complete without it!

The First Noel Trio for Three Violins

The First Noel Trio for Three Violins

Bring a Torch Jeanette, Isabella Violin Duet

I love this beautiful French Christmas carol for violin. It’s even better for two violins!

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen Violin Duet

I love minor Christmas carols. This one is perfect for two violins!

Carol of the Bells Violin Christmas Duet

What collection of Christmas duets for violin would be complete without Carol of the Bells? What are those slashes through the stems in the violin duet part you ask? Tremolo! Quickly “tremble” your bow at the tip for the right sound. I explain it all in my Music Theory for Violinists Course.

Christmas Play-Along Violin Duets

If you would like to play some Christmas duets with me, I’ve created a playlist of myself playing the melody and harmony to favorite Christmas songs for violin.

Purchase A Fiddling Christmas to play along then visit the playlist here.

Christmas Play-Along Duets Playlist

Enjoy playing these holiday favorites as a Christmas violin duet this season! If you would like more Christmas violin duets, try some of these great books.

Christmas Music Arranged for Violin Duet

Christmas Duets Volume 1

Christmas Favorites for Violin Duet

Check out these other links for the holidays.

Helpful Holiday Resources

Happy Practicing and Merry Christmas!

P.S. While I love writing out these duets, like all of the sheet music I produce on my website, they take a considerable amount of time to transcribe, edit, and upload. If you would like to download any of these easy Christmas violin duets, you can (and much more) when you sign up for my online studio. Try it out here!

Easy Christmas Violin Songs with Piano Accompaniment Tracks--Free Sheet Music!

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Enjoy playing these Christmas carols on the violin with piano accompaniment. I’ve arranged these violin Christmas songs to match the piano accompaniment videos after the free sheet music. Often times, the piano will play an introduction before the main melody starts. This is show by a few measures of rests. Make sure you count!

Have fun playing your favorite violin Christmas songs with piano backing tracks!

While I love writing out these easy violin Christmas carols, like all of the sheet music I produce on my website, they take a considerable amount of time to arrange, edit, test-play, and upload. If you would like to download any of these easy Christmas violin songs, you can (and much more) when you sign up to my online studio. Try it out here!

We Wish You A Merry Christmas Violin Sheet Music

This easy Christmas song can be played with the piano accompaniment video below the music. Just make sure you count those rests!

Silent Night Violin Sheet Music

This classic Christmas violin carol sounds even better with a little piano accompaniment.

Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy Violin Sheet Music

This has to be one of my favorite Christmas songs for violin to play along with the piano. There’s a lot of rests in the middle so make sure you count. Otherwise you’ll be getting a lump of coal this Christmas!

Advanced Christmas Songs for Violin-(Sheet Music)

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Ready for some harder violin Christmas music this holiday? These intermediate and advanced Christmas songs for violin feature tricky rhythms, higher positions, slow bows, and slurs for some advanced Christmas songs that will keep you busy while it’s cold outside!

Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy Violin Sheet Music

Let’s start off with this intermediate violin version of this Nutcracker classic. You’ll start off playing pizzicato then quickly transition to Arco (with the bow). Watch out for the accidentals and make sure you circle those runs and practice them!

Gesù Bambino Violin Sheet Music

Gesù Bambino is another lovely, albeit challenging Christmas song for violin. While you can play Gesù Bambino completely in first position, you will need to practice counting in 12/8 time and work on some B flat scales to get comfortable with that middle portion. Need help? My Music Theory for Violinists Course will have you clapping and counting tricky rhythms in any time signature and my Creative Scales for the Experimental Violinist course will get you equally prepared for any of those tricky key signatures!


Violin Christmas Songs in Third Position

Now let’s add some higher notes! Enjoy these resources on third position if you need more help!

The First Noel Violin Third Position Sheet Music

Download the First Noel pdf for violin here.

The First Noel isn’t too difficult on the violin. To make it a more advanced Christmas song for violin, I transposed it up into the higher positions. This version of the First Noel for violin starts in 3rd position and stays in third position for the entire song to make use of those beautiful high notes!

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Joy to the World Violin Sheet Music in Third Position

Start this carol out in third position and stay there for the entire song. You’ll find Joy to the World feels very natural in third position. Remember your half steps and whole steps and you’ll be golden!

O Come All Ye Faithful Violin Sheet Music in Third Position

You can start O Come All Ye Faithful in first position and then shift up to third position in measure three.

O Holy Night Violin Sheet Music Third Position

No collection of intermediate and advanced violin Christmas carols would be complete without O Holy Night. It’s tricky for a number of reasons. #1 Long, slow bows which require a lot of bow control. #2 Tricky time signatures #3 Higher Positions

I start O Holy Night out in third position. You’ll notice in measure 19 we reach an E. You can either stretch for that E and stay in third position, play a harmonic, or follow my fingerings and shift up to 4th position. Or try all three and see which one you like!

I hope you enjoy these slightly more challenging Christmas carols for the violin. While I love writing out these carols, like all of the sheet music I produce on my website, they take a considerable amount of time to arrange, edit, test-play, and upload. If you would like to download any of these easy Christmas violin songs as PDFS, you can (and much more) when you sign up to my online studio. Try it out here!

Easy Violin Christmas Songs with TAB-No Note Reading!

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If you are just starting to play violin, or maybe you don’t want to worry about reading notes, here’s some easy Christmas songs for the violin that any beginner can play!

How Does This Tab for Violin Work?

Musical tablature indicates fingerings, not notes. So the numbers in this Christmas tablature indicate the finger number. The letters indicate which string to play on. For instance: A: 10 D: 312321 means you would play 1st finger then open string all on the A string, then play all the other finger numbers on the D string.

All numbers are using the “normal” finger pattern in which the 2nd finger is next to three. If the finger needs to be lower or higher it will be indicated with an “L” for lower and an “H” for higher. Low 2s will be right next to 1st finger. High 3s will be right above where 3rd finger normally is.

How Does the Rhythm Work in Violin Tab?

Well…it doesn’t. That’s the one drawback to this Christmas violin tab. There’s really no way to indicate rhythm. It’s best if you know the song and can sing along. I’ve tried to space out numbers that are longer notes. Some numbers have a dash afterward to indicate a longer note. Other than that, listen to these Christmas songs to know how slow or fast to play the notes on violin!

Helpful Holiday Resources

 

Jingle Bells Violin Christmas Tab

*Play this easy Christmas song on any string. However, if you don’t want to play those 4th fingers, just play the next highest open string.

 Any string:222-  222-  24012-   3333  3222  21121-   4

                    222-  222-  24012-   3333  3222  4431     0



Jolly Old St. Nicholas Violin Tab

A: 2222 111  0000 2    D: 2222  11   A: 0 1012 1

A: 2222 111  0000 2    D: 2222  11   A: 0 1012 0



O Christmas Tree Violin Tab

D: 0- 333         A: 0- 111  101 L2         D: 2      A: 0      D: 3

D: 0- 333         A: 0- 111  101 L2         D: 2      A: 0      D: 3

A: 33 1 4- 33 L2 L2      L2 L2 0 3 L2 L2 11

D: 0- 333         A: 0- 111  101 L2         D: 2      A: 0      D: 3


We Three Kings Violin Christmas Tab

A: 10    D: 312321        A: 10    D: 312321  33  A: 0011  3 L2 1 010     D: 321 2

D: 3330 313     3330 313 33    A: 01 L2 1 0 1  D: 3330  313



We Wish You A Merry Christmas Violin Tab

D: 03 3432 111           A: 0 010          D: 3200           A: 1 1 L2 10    D: 31 0014 23

D: 0 3 3 3 2 23210      A: 010             D: 3     A: 3     D: 0  00 1423

D: 03 3432 111           A: 0 010          D: 3200           A: 1 1 L2 10    D: 31 0014 23


Merry Christmas and Happy Practicing!

Easy Christmas Songs for Violin--Free Sheet Music

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This collection of violin Christmas sheet music will keep you busy this holiday season! Christmas is a great time to sit around the fire, have a cup of hot chocolate and play violin Christmas songs with friends and family. I’ve complied a list of my favorite easy Christmas violin songs and carols that are great for brand new beginners or seasoned violin players looking for a good selection of sheet music for Christmas.

While I love writing out these easy violin Christmas carols, like all of the sheet music I produce on my website, they take a considerable amount of time to arrange, edit, test-play, and upload. If you would like to download any of these easy Christmas violin songs, you can (and much more) when you sign up to my online studio.Try it out here!

Enjoy playing these easy Christmas violin songs this holiday season!

Helpful Holiday Resources

Angels We Have Heard On High Violin Sheet Music

This popular Christmas hymn can be relatively simple to play on violin since most of it is like a descending G major scales. Watch out for those low 2s on the A string!

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Away in a Manger Violin Sheet Music

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Carol of the Bells Violin Sheet Music

Carol of the Bells is a classic easy Christmas song that sounds great on the violin. Add in those slurs when you are ready. I’ve added some optional fingerings for that tricky ascending scale part. Use low 1st finger for the D sharps.

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Deck The Halls Violin Sheet Music

More low 2s on the A string and E string here for Deck the Halls on the violin.

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The First Noel Violin Sheet Music

This is another one of my favorite easy Christmas songs for the violin. The First Noel for violin is in good ole’ D major, so normal or “high” 2nd fingers for the F sharps and C sharps.

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Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Violin Sheet Music

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Jolly Old St. Nicolas Free Violin Sheet Music

Jolly Old St. Nicholas is a great, easy Christmas song to play on the violin if you are just starting out.

Jolly Old St. Nicholas Violin Sheet Music

Jolly Old St. Nicholas Violin Sheet Music

Joy To The World Violin Sheet Music

Joy to the World is an easy Christmas violin song since it starts out like a descending D major scale. Use lots of bow for that grand, magnificent sound!

Joy to the world violin sheet music

Joy to the world violin sheet music

O Come All Ye Faithful Violin Sheet Music

O Come All Ye Faithful is one of my favorite Christmas songs to play on the violin. This version is in G major so high F#s for the D string and low C naturals for the A string.

o come all ye faithful/ adeste fideles violin sheet music

o come all ye faithful/ adeste fideles violin sheet music

O Come Emmanuel Violin Sheet Music

o come emmanuel violin sheet music

o come emmanuel violin sheet music

O Little Town of Bethlehem Violin Sheet Music

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Silent Night Violin Sheet Music

Silent night violin sheet music


We Wish You A Merry Christmas Sheet Music

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What Child Is This (Greensleeves) Violin Sheet Music

If you are ready for a little more of a challenge, try this violin sheet music for What Child Is This or Greensleeves. It has one flat: B flat which means 1st fingers on the A string will be low (right next to the nut!) But sometimes the B is natural so it will be where it always is. Those C#s on the G string mean high 3rd fingers. Have fun with this easy-ish Christmas song for the violin!

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I hope you enjoy these Christmas carols for the violin. While I love writing out these carols, like all of the sheet music I produce on my website, they take a considerable amount of time to notate, arrange, edit, test-play, and upload. If you would like to download any of these easy Christmas violin songs as PDFS, you can (and much more) when you sign up to my online studio. Try it out here!

If you are looking for some Christmas violin books, check out these favorites.

A Fiddling Christmas-full of classic favorites and some great fiddling Christmas jigs and reels. Every song also has harmony accompaniment so a fellow violinist can join along.

Christmas Melodies for Violin Solo-a great collection of traditional Christmas songs for violin. Many of these songs will be manageable for beginners but it also features some passages for intermediate players as well.

Enjoy these Christmas tunes for violin this holiday season. What other easy violin Christmas songs would you like sheet music for? Let me know in the comments below! Happy Practicing!

Mahler Themes for Violin (Free Halloween Violin Sheet Music)

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If you are looking for some lovely, dark and mysterious violins songs for Halloween, look no further than this deliciously tenebrous collection of themes from Mahler’s Symphony No.1, Movement Three.

If you aren’t familiar with this symphony, listen to the recording. I know you’ll love it!

All violin Halloween songs are going to be in minor keys. Minor keys always sad, scary or spooky, so of course our Halloween song for this month will be in a minor key!

There are three types of minor scales and for this song, I’ve chosen a harmonic minor scale since it matches the song best. That means we’ll have a big stretch between the B flat and the C#—so reach for it!
(If scales are confusing you, my scales course can help you out!)

The main theme of this movement is repeated over and over again as a round. A round is just a type of duet in which someone starts playing a simple melody, and then two or four measures later, another instrument starts playing the same melody and the theme just gets layered over and over again like the layers on a dark chocolate devil’s food cake.

One thing that will make this song really sparkle is vibrato. If you’re already using vibrato, I’ll talk about some great sections where you can add it in. And if you’re not learning vibrato, now’s the time to start! Take a look at my violin vibrato course here.

During the video lesson to this Halloween violin song, I’ve included two play-along tracks. One is just the solo, so feel free to play the duet part with me. Or play along with either part when I play a duet with myself in the next play-along.

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Mahler Symphony No. 1 Sheet Music With Warm-Up Scale

Here’s the free violin sheet music for this Halloween violin song, along with the warm-up D minor scale and arpeggio.

Download the free Mahler Symphony No. 1 Themes Sheet Music and Warm-Up Scale Here

Mahler Symphony No. 1 Themes Violin Duet Free Sheet Music

Grab a friend or play-along with me! The violin duet for makes this spooky song even better!

Download the free sheet music for Mahler Symphony No. 1 Violin Duet Part Here

Watch the Video Lesson and Play-Along tracks to this violin song for Halloween below!

3 Famous Tangos for Violin (With Sheet Music)

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Tangos and violins just go together. There’s something fun and exciting about adding some Spanish flair to your playing. When it comes to tango music for violin, there’s three famous pieces that come to mind. Our first two tangos are from Bizet’s Carmen and the last tango is one that should be on everyone’s “must learn” list. Okay, let’s tango!

Toreador Sheet Music for Violin

Let’s start off with the Toreador Song, a famous tune from Carmen. This tango is in F major which means we have one flat, B flat. So think low first fingers on the A and E string.

(Need some help with F major finger patterns? Click here)

If you’re learning second position on the violin, the Toreador Song actually fits very well in your hand in second position, since there’s not as many string crossings.

Notice how all of our violin tangos feature two distinct sections. There’s always a sharp, accented style alternating with a smoother, more legato section. Some tangos start with the accented part, some start with the legato part. See if you pick out the various styles in each violin tango!

Habanera Sheet Music for Violin

Our next tango from Carmen gets even saucier! We’re once again in F major but Habanera has lots of accidentals. In the first two measures, you’re moving chromatically which means every note is a half step apart.

Triplets play an important role in this song. Here’s a little music theory: when you see a group of three 8th notes with a “3” above or below the notes, those are triplets. A triplet is simply a quarter note divided into three equal parts.

The last line does go up to third position, but if you’re not comfortable with third position not he violin, I’ve also added an optional ending that stays in first position.

Por una Cabeza Sheet Music for Violin

Last in our list of 3 famous violin tangos is perhaps the most famous of all, Por tuna Cabeza! This classic tango was featured in the tango scene from Scent of a Woman. This is one tango that you won't be able to stop playing!

For this tango, we’re in good ole G major, but don’t get too lazy, there’s lots of accidentals. This violin tango features more half step chromaticism, more challenging third position as well as a fun harmonic and a double stop at the end.

This violin tango has it all! Enjoy Por tuna Cabeza for the violin!

I hope you enjoy these violin tangos! While I love writing out these songs, like all of the sheet music I produce on my website, they take a considerable amount of time to notation, arrange, edit, test-play, and upload. If you would like to download any of these violin tangos as PDFS, you can (and much more) when you sign up to my online studio. Try it out here!

Oh The Britches Full of Stitches Easy Fiddle Sheet Music

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How to Play Oh the Britches Full of Stitches on the Fiddle

This easy fiddle song is so much fun to play and surprisingly easy. It only uses the 1st and 2nd fingers!

Watch the violin lesson on how to play Oh the Britches Full of Stitches on the fiddle and scroll down to get your free sheet music.

Oh the Britches Full of Stitches is also a great easy fiddle song to start improvising and adding ornaments and embellishments. The following free tutorial will show you the basics of how to play this fiddle song. In the complete tutorial, I’ll show you how I add slides and double stops to this fun fiddle tune. I’ll also show you a great warm-up scale as well.

Interested in watching the complete tutorial as well as getting over 800 other lessons for fiddle and classical violin? Sign-up for a my online studio membership.

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Sign up for my free newsletter below and you’ll get updates anytime I upload new song tutorials (plus get some free violin printable goodies as well!)

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Oh the Britches Free Fiddle Sheet Music

Download and print the free sheet music here.

Easy Patriotic Songs for Violin Sheet Music

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Are you looking for easy patriotic violin songs? Maybe some violin songs for July 4th? Look no further. I’ve collected the most popular patriotic songs and arranged them for the violin so they are easy to play. Scroll down for some easy patriotic songs on the violin!

If you want to download and print all of this music, as well as more patriotic songs for violin, you can with my Online Studio Membership, where you’ll get access to all of my courses and my Sheet Music Library (a collection of over 150 easy, intermediate, and advanced violin songs). Learn more about becoming part of my online studio here!

  1. Marines Hymns Violin Sheet Music

2. Anchors Aweigh Violin Sheet Music

Go Navy! Enjoy playing the Navy song on the violin, Anchors Aweigh!

3. The Wild Blue Yonder Violin Sheet Music

Okay, this might not be the easiest easy patriotic violin song, but I did the best I could to make it “easier.” You know how it goes, so enjoy playing the Air Force Song on the Violin!

4. The Army Goes Rolling Along

5. America the Beautiful Violin Sheet Music

6. My Country Tis of Thee Violin Sheet Music

7. Star-Spangled Banner Easy Violin Sheet Music

I don’t know if the Star Spangled Banner is every easy, but I made it as easy as I could for violin by transposing into the key of G major. Have fun playing the Star-Spangled Banner on the violin this 4th of July!

How to Play Minuet No. 1 By Bach on the Violin (Free Sheet Music)

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Minuet No. 1 by J.S. Bach is a great song for violin and I’m going to show you how to play this charming classical piece on the violin Scroll down to download the free violin sheet music for Minuet No. 1 by Bach and watch the video tutorial on how to play Minuet No.1 on the violin.

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Key Signature for Bach Minuet No. 1 on the Violin

What key is Minuet No. 1 in? G major! That means one sharp, F#. Think “high two, high two, low two, low two” for your finger pattern. High 2nd finger on the G and D strings and low 2nd finger on the A and E strings.

What Time Signature is Minuet No. 1 In?

3/4 time! Remember Minuet is a type of dance, so imagine dancing to this song and you’ll get a feel for 3/4 time.

For more information on time signatures, check out my course Music Theory for Violinists: Everything You Need to Know for Note Reading, Rhythm, and Music Notation. ver 6 and a half hours of lessons to answer all of your questions on music theory!

Want In-Depth Tutorials on Every Song in Suzuki Book 1?

I’ll teach you everything you need to know to master every song in Suzuki Book 1. I teach you rhythm, song construction, phrasing and dynamics, bow preparation, as well as measure by measure tutorials, play-along tracks, and duets! Check out the full course here.

10 Easy Violin Songs for Beginners (With Sheet Music)

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If you are ready to start playing violin, you will need some easy violin songs for beginners with sheet music!

I’ve complied 10 of my favorite easy violin songs for brand new beginners. These are songs that I teach all of my violin students. You’ll also find that all of these easy to play songs come with easy violin sheet music PDFS! You can view all fo the sheet music here. If you want to download and print my complete book, “Easy Songs for Violin,” you can get it for free! Just sign up for my newsletter below and I’ll send you the free easy violin sheet music PDF as well as some other freebies!

Sign up for my newsletter to get your free easy songs for violin printable sheet music.

What are the Notes and Finger Numbers for Every Note in First Position on the Violin?

First let’s start off with a picture of all the notes, their names, and their finger numbers for every string on the violin. This will help you when it comes to learning easy beginner violin songs.

The Standard Finger Pattern For Violin

Almost all of these easy violin songs will have what I call the standard finger pattern for violin. The standard finger pattern is the first finger pattern you learn, in which there’s a whole step in between 1st and 2nd finger and a half step in between 2nd and 3rd finger. That means 2nd and 3rd fingers will touch. We’ll change it up a little bit towards the end!

Okay, let’s start talking about the best violin songs for beginners! We’ll start off with some easy to recognize songs that are perfect if you are just starting to learn violin.

  1. Hot Cross Buns

I know every method book and teacher starts off Hot Cross Buns. There’s a reason! This song is super easy to play on the violin since it only uses two fingers. You can literally start playing it in less than a few minutes, even if you know nothing about the violin!

It will start on 2nd finger. Make sure you “prepare” your fingers by building up to 2nd finger. I’ll show you how. You can play Hot Cross Buns on any string, the finger numbers and pattern will be the exact same.

I suggest playing these with pizzicato (plucking the strings) if you are a brand new beginner. That way you can focus on the left hand. This is a great violin plucking song if you are just starting out.

Download this easy violin song PDF ebook here.

2. Mary Had a Little Lamb

This is another really easy violin song for beginners because it also only uses 2 fingers. You can play the entire song with just your 1st finger, 2nd finger and an open string. Try playing this easy violin song on any string, the finger patterns will be the same. Keep playing pizzicato if you are a violin beginner. This is another great violin plucking song for brand new violinists.

Download this easy violin song PDF ebook here.

3. Boil Them Cabbage Down

Now to a really fun and easy song that sounds great on the violin! Boil Them Cabbage is a wonderful easy violin folk song that is super easy to play, but has a lot of room for adding in fun things like double stops and tags (extra notes at the end). This is one of those easy violin songs that sounds impressive as you get it faster and faster. Let’s start with the sheet music!

In this song, you’re going to start using your third finger. Remember, the third finger will go right next to 2nd finger. Again, you can play this super easy fiddle song on any string, it’s the same finger pattern. I also suggest starting off playing this pizzicato so it is another violin plucking song!

Download this easy violin song PDF ebook here.

4. Go Tell Aunt Rhodie

This is another popular song to play on the violin. This great easy violin folk song is the first song in which we start playing on two different strings. If you need help with string crossings, watch this.

Download this easy violin song PDF ebook here.

5. Lightly Row

As you start playing this easy to learn violin song, I want you to try and start leaving fingers down if you can. Think about those first two measures. There’s no reason to lift off your 2nd finger in between measure one and two. Just leave the 2 down and put the 3 right next to it. As you leave fingers down, you might start to have trouble with your left hand fingers hitting other strings. Watch this video to solve those problems!

If you want a complete tutorial on this song, it’s included in my Suzuki Violin Book One Tutorials.

Download this easy violin song PDF ebook here.

6. Frere Jacques

In this fun little violin folk tune, you’ll start using eighth notes more. Eighth notes are twice as fast as quarter notes. Learn more about music theory here.

Download this easy violin song PDF ebook here.

7. Ode to Joy

Ode to Joy is one of the best easy to learn violin songs for beginners. This is when you really start getting into classical style pieces. You can start using longer bows and more weight to get a good tone. When you get comfortable using lots of bow with a good tone, this is one of those easy violin songs that sounds impressive.

I suggest using 4th finger when you can. Don’t wait to introduce this finger. Using 4th finger will help you get a straight wrist. Here’s some tips on getting that pesky pinky in tune.

Download this easy violin song PDF ebook here.

8. Can-Can

This has to be one of the funnest easy violin songs to play. Once you learn it, try getting it faster and faster and faster. It will sound really impressive and you won’t stop playing your violin!

If you want a complete tutorial on this song, this is one of the many song tutorials in my Complete Beginner’s Violin Course.

Download this easy violin song PDF ebook here.

9. French Folk Song

This sweet little violin folk song is so much fun to play on the violin, and it’s very easy to learn. This song is in 3/4 time. It might be one of the first times you’ve seen this time signature in beginner violin sheet music. It’s just three beats in a measure instead of 2 or 4, but you’ll notice songs with this time signature have a lilting, dance-like quality to them. Enjoy one of my favorite easy violin folk songs!

Download this easy violin song PDF ebook here.

10. Buffalo Gals

Next in our list of 10 best easy violin songs for beginners is one of my favorites, Buffalo Gals. This easy violin folk song has one tricky little rhythm, but if you know how it goes, it will be fun and easy to play. I love this song because it’s an easy violin song that sounds impressive.

That one tricky measure is in measure 10, where the single eighth note comes first. Just play that single eighth note very quick using a small amount of bow.

Download this easy violin song PDF ebook here.

I hope you enjoyed my top 10 best easy violin songs for beginners! When you’re ready, check out these other great violin resources for beginners

How to Play Irish Washerwoman on the Violin (Free Sheet Music)

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Irish Washerwoman is a great song for violin and I’m going to show you how to play this awesome fiddle tune! Scroll down to download the free violin sheet music for Irish Washerwoman and watch the video tutorial on how to play Irish Washerwoman on the violin.

Key Signature for Irish Washerwoman on the Violin

What key is Irish Washerwoman in? G major! That means one sharp, F#. Think “high two, high two, low two, low two” for your finger pattern. For more help with key signatures, check out my complete scales course with over 150 lessons on scales.

What Time Signature is Irish Washerwoman In?

Irish Washerwoman is in 6/8 time. This time signature is very common for Irish jigs. It means the 8th note gets the beat and there are six 8th notes in a measure. The good thing with Irish Washerwoman is that it’s almost all 8th notes! So the rhythm doesn’t change much.

For more information on time signatures, check out my course Music Theory for Violinists: Everything You Need to Know for Note Reading, Rhythm, and Music Notation. ver 6 and a half hours of lessons to answer all of your questions on music theory!

How to Get Irish Washerwoman Faster on the Violin

The trick to getting Irish Washerwoman faster on the violin is a trick I call “playing in a circle.” Play one measure at a time very slowly but repeat that one measure, like playing in a loop or circle. Once you can play it cleanly at a slow tempo, gradually speed each measure up.

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Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing (Free Sheet Music for Violin)

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If you want to learn to play Come Thou Fount on the violin, you’re in the right place! This hymn is absolutely gorgeous on the violin. I’m going to teach you how to play Come Thou Fount for the violin in first position and in third position.

For even more easy hymns along with intermediate third position parts, join my online studio to download my hymn book, Favorite Hymns for Violin. It has over 50 of my favorite hymns transposed into easy to read key signatures for violin. You’ll get Favorite Hymns for Violin in addition to several other downloadable violin books and over 200+ songs and sheet music for violin.

More Third Position Resources for Violin

Third position on the violin allows you to play two higher notes! But it does much more than that. You’ll notice some songs, like Come Thou Fount can be played entirely up in third position very comfortably. You can even play those notes you usually play in first position still in third position. Try it! I think you’ll like it!

Check out these other articles and videos on learning third position!

What is Third Position on the Violin and Why is it Hard?

Easy Scales in Third Position for the Violin

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Christ the Lord is Risen Today (Free Easter Sheet Music for Violin)

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If you are looking for some perfect Easter hymns for the violin, Christ the Lord is Risen Today is a great one!

For even more easy hymns along with intermediate third position parts, join my online studio to download my hymn book, Favorite Hymns for Violin. It has over 50 of my favorite hymns transposed into easy to read key signatures for violin. You’ll get Favorite Hymns for Violin in addition to several other downloadable violin books and over 200+ songs and sheet music for violin.

Key Signature for Christ the Lord is Risen Today on the Violin

Christ the Lord is in the key of D major. That’s F# and C#. For more scale lessons check out my complete scales course with over 150 lessons on scales.

Practice Spots for Christ the Lord on Violin

In the tutorial, I’ll talk about locating your practice spots for any song. In this Easter hymn for violin, the practice spots are the measures with 8th notes! Practice those measures first!

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Sign up for my free newsletter below and you’ll get updates anytime I upload new song tutorials (plus get some free violin printable goodies as well!)

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60 Easy Songs for Violin (With Real Sheet Music)

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Here are 60 of my favorite easy songs for beginner violin. If you are just starting to learn violin, having lots of easy violin songs to play will help keep your motivation going! I’ve made a collection of 60 easy violin songs for beginners. There’s plenty of easy violin sheet music here to keep you busy for a while!

I’ve transposed all of these songs into easy to play key signatures for the violin and I’ve also included a first position note guide and a key signature reference guide for finger patterns in every key signature.

Enjoy the free sheet music for all of these violin songs! While I love creating these violin arrangements, they do take a considerable amount of time to notate, arrange, edit, test-play, and upload. If you want to download and print all of this music (and much more), you can with my Online Studio Membership, where you’ll get access to all of my courses and my Sheet Music Library (a collection of over 200 easy, intermediate, and advanced violin songs). Learn more about becoming part of my online studio here!

I’ve separated these easy violin songs for beginners into a few categories. To jump ahead, click below.

Violin Note Guide and Key Signature Reference

Brand New Beginner Violin Sheet Music

Traditional Violin Songs

Easy Fiddle Sheet Music and Irish Songs for Violin

Easy Classical Songs for Violin

Intermediate Traditional and Irish Songs for Violin

Easy Hymns for Violin

Easy Violin Christmas Songs

Violin Note Guide

These are all of the notes that you may need for the easy violin songs below. These are all of the notes in first position on the violin. You may find this helpful if you are teaching yourself violin. The finger numbers are above the notes.

This key signature reference guide may look confusing. It just tells you the finger pattern for every key signature. Those little arrows mean the fingers are half steps apart, or they’re touching on the violin fingerboard. Need more explanation? My Creative Scales Course covers all of these scales and finger patterns in detail.

Brand New Beginner Violin Sheet Music

Now on to the 60 easy violin songs for beginners! This first group of easy songs for violin can be played by brand new beginners. Use the first position violin note guide above to help you know where to put your fingers.

If you’re not quite ready for note reading yet, or maybe you just want some even easier songs for violin, check out my Easiest Violin Songs Ever (Violin Tab—No Note Reading).

  1. Boil Them Cabbage Down

2. Can-Can

3. French Folk Song

4. Go Tell Aunt Rhodie

5. Hot Cross Buns

Need some more help learning how to play these songs for violin? I’ll show you everything you need to know in my Complete Beginner’s Violin Course. Click below to learn more!

6. Lightly Row

7. Mary Had a Little Lamb

8. Oh! Susanna

9. O Come, Little Children

10. Sweet Betsy From Pike

11. Buffalo Gals

Traditional Violin Songs

This collection of traditional easy violins songs includes lots of old time favorite fiddle tunes and traditional songs that everyone enjoys. Want to download these songs? Check out my Sheet Music Library in my online studio where you can download all of these songs plus dozens more!

Interested in more traditional violin songs? Check out my other collections below

3 Easy Fiddle Tunes

Stephen Foster Songs for Violin

12. Home on the Range

13. Maiden’s Prayer

14. Camptown Races

15. Yankee Doodle

16. Yellow Rose of Texas

17. Scarborough Fair

18. Redwing

19. Lorena


Easy Fiddle and Irish Songs Sheet Music

Everyone loves these classic easy fiddle tunes for violin. Sometimes I’ll start out with an easy version of the fiddle tune and then give you some embellishment options, like in Old Joe Clark below.

You may also be interested in:

Slow Easy Fiddle Tunes

Scottish Fiddle Tunes

Sheet Music Library

20. Old Joe Clark

21. Cripple Creek

22. Oh, The Britches Full of Stitches

23. Soldier’s Joy

24. John Ryan’s Polka

25. Midnight on the Water


Easy Classical Songs for Violin

If you would like to learn some easy classical songs for the violin, here’s of few of the easier classical songs for violin.

If you would like more wonderful options for easy classical songs, check out my collection of Classical Songs for Violin.

Easy Songs from Classical Music for Violin

Sheet Music Library

26. Merry Widow Waltz

27. All Through the Night

28. Brahms’ Lullaby

29. Donna Nobis Pacem

Intermediate Fiddle and Irish Songs Sheet Music

Now we’re going to get into some slightly more advanced traditional and Irish songs for violin. I consider many of these songs to still be appropriate for beginner level violinists, but you’ll find some have tricky rhythms, advanced note reading concepts, and other items that make these songs a little tricky.

30. Michael Row Your Boat Ashore

31. My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean

Want to play a super easy duet with me on the violin? I’ve got a duet included in my Complete Beginner’s Course for My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean.

32. Santa Lucia

Want to play a super easy Santa Lucia duet on the violin? I’ve got one included in my Complete Beginner’s Course.

33. The Man on the Flying Trapeze

34. Volga Boatman

35. Wayfairing Stranger

36. What Do You Do With a Drunken Sailor

37. Ash Grove

38. Danny Boy

38. Wild Mountain Thyme (Will You Go, Lassie)

39. Whiskey in the Jar

40. The Wild Rover

I’ve got a video tutorial on this fun Irish fiddle song in my studio!

41. Rosin the Bow

42. Black Velvet Band

43. Angeline the Baker

44. Old Folks at Home

45. Hard Times Come Again No More

46. Devil’s Dream

47. The Parting Glass

48. Swallowtail Jig

Swallowtail Jig is one of the most popular easy fiddle tunes ever! And for good reason. It’s a ton of fun to play on the violin, ahem, I mead fiddle. I’ve got a full tutorial on Swallowtail Jig as part of my membership, along with many other song tutorials. Check it out here.

49. Aura Lee

Enjoy my free video tutorial and scale warm-up on Aura Lee here.

Aura Lee Tutorial and Scale Warm-Up


Easy Hymns for Vioiln Sheet Music

You can also download my free book of violin hymns. Enjoy over 50 classic hymns transposed just for violin. And for those of you who are interested in learning third position, this hymn book also features additional verses in higher octaves, perfect for third position!

Get the free book, Favorite Hymns for the Violin here.

50. Be Thou My Vision

51. Come Thou Fount

52. Count Your Blessings

53. He Leadeth Me

54. Jesus Loves Me

55. How Firm a Foundation

56. Blest Be the Tie That Binds

57. Amazing Grace


Easy Christmas Songs for Violin Sheet Music

Below you’ll find just a taste of easy Christmas songs for violin. I’ve got lots of Christmas songs for violin in my online studio, Sheet Music Library as well.

58. Jolly Old St. Nicholas

59. Silent Night

60. Joy to the World

Congratulations! You’ve made it to the end. Hopefully you’ll find something in these 60 Songs for Violin to keep you busy! Feel free to search through my collection of Free Sheet Music here.

By the way, you can print and download ALL of this music when you join my online membership. You’ll get access to all of my courses as well as my sheet music library with over 150 Songs for violin, ranging from easy to intermediate and advanced.

Want to learn more about how you can transform your playing with my online studio? Click below to learn more.

Meadowlark Violin Online Studio Membership

Happy Practicing!

~Lora

Easy Scales in Third Position for the Violin

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If you are starting to learn third position then it’s time to start practicing third position scales on the violin. You’ll notice certain key signatures make more sense in certain positions. For instance, with first position scales on the violin, the keys of G, D, and A major make a lot of sense. In second position, the keys of B and F major seem to fit well. With third position scales on the violin, C major, G major, and D major feel very comfortable.

This is one reason why we generally teach third position on the violin after first position. Since first position favors most of the same key signatures, it makes sense to learn third position next.

Now if you’re not familiar with scale theory, learning third position scales might be pretty tricky. Don’t worry, if you need to brush up on how scales work, watch the following video for a quick overview. By the way, every violinist should know the half step patterns in scales. It will make the violin instantly make more sense! I talk about this in depth in my Creative Scales Course for the Experimental Violinist (part of my online studio).

Many people find third position difficult to learn, and I think that’s because they don’t truly understand the language of the violin. And if you don’t understand how to “speak the language” then learning advanced concepts like third position will always be a challenge. My Online Violin Studio has several courses that will help you “speak the language” like a native speaker!

Courses That Will Help You Learn Third Position

Let’s start off with the easiest one octave scales in third position.

Easy One Octave Third Position Violin Scales

C Major Scale in Third Position on the Violin

First off, let’s learn the C major scale in third position. Now if you know the universal scale finger pattern that I talk about in my violin third position course, this makes so much more sense! Basically, the universal finger pattern involves two strings with the same finger pattern on both strings. There will be a whole step between the first and second fingers, a whole step between the second and third fingers, and a half step between the third and fourth fingers. You can play this universal finger pattern pretty much anywhere on the violin (just don’t start on the E string) and you’ll get a scale.

Okay, on your violin fingerboard, start on the G string and let’s build our way up to third position. Play open string, then 1st, 2nd, and 3rd fingers. You should be on a C. Now replace that 3rd finger and put a 1st finger where the 3rd finger was. Tada! You’re in third position!

(P.S. It’s VERY important when you are starting to learn third position to always prep your notes. Start in first position and build up, then replace the notes. I go over this a lot in my course to make it easy to hear and understand.)

Now that you are up in third position, play that universal scale pattern up to 4th finger and the next string, then come back down and you’ve got an easy C major scale in third position!

By the way, those little arrows mean half steps!

Easy G Major Violin Scale in Third Position

Next is a one octave G major scale in third position and the good news is that it’s just like the C major scale you just played, only it starts on the D string instead. So remember, prep your notes in first position, replace the third finger with the first finger and you’re ready to play the G major scale in third position.

Easy D Major Violin Scale in Third Position

Next up is the D major scale in third position and yep, you guessed it. It has the exact same finger pattern as the C and G scales. See what I mean about knowing that universal scale finger pattern? It really shows up all over the violin fingerboard. The fun thing with the D major scale in third position is that you will gain two notes that you didn’t have down in first position. Those two high notes are C sharp and D.

Ready to Master Third Position?

I’ll teach you how! Click below to learn more.

Two Octave Violin Scales in Third Position

Two Octave C Major Scale in Third Position

Now that you’ve learned the first octave of the C major scale in third position, let’s learn the second octave! If you remember that your half step pairs in the key of C major are between B and C and in between E and F, then you’ll realize why you change finger patterns for the A and E strings. On the A and E strings, your 2nd and 3rd fingers will touch. Just go up to the third finger on the E string (the C) then go back down.

Two Octave D Major Scale in Third Position

You’ve already learned the higher octave of the D major third position scale, so now let’s learn the lower octave. The bottom octave is a little bit trickier. It starts on 2nd finger on the G string, so build up to 4th finger D in first position, then replace the 4th finger with the 2nd finger (test it against your open D to make sure it’s in tune). Now you’re ready to play the scale, but remember, D major has two sharps, C sharp and F sharp. That means those 4th finger on the G and D strings in third position are going to be sharp which means you are going to have to stretch for them!

Those scales are the easiest violin scales in third position. If you’re ready to learn more about third position, my Third Position course will show you all the tips and tricks to master third position that you NEVER learn in private lessons. Click here to learn more!

Happy Practicing!