As a beginner violinist, chances are you’re eager to play easy violin music that will show off your new skills. While playing “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” is nice, you’re probably looking for some more popular tunes. Maybe you want to play your favorite pop song or impress your friends with a classic rock song. The good news is that there are a ton of easy songs to play on the violin that don’t involve nursery rhymes or childish tunes.
Believe it or not, you can find a wide selection of beginner violin songs that will make you sound like a pro. If you’re ready to expand your violin repertoire and challenge yourself to some new music, then check out our list of 19 easy songs to learn on the violin. We feature several genres, including pop, rock, and classical, to ensure you find some of the best songs that suit your skill level. Dedicate some time to practicing these fun, easy violin songs, and you’ll be ready for the stage in no time!
Easy Pop Songs with Violin
While they might not sound like beginner violin songs, these songs are fairly easy to master with some practice. Remember to start slow and focus on intonation, then gradually work the melody up to tempo.
Over The Rainbow
Even though this song was composed for “The Wizard of Oz” back in 1939, this is still considered a pop song and one of the most well-known in music. The opening octave in the first measure (low C to high C) is tricky because you have to cross over the D string when going from the G string to the A string. Practice the string crossing first on open strings before you try adding the fingers. Click here for the sheet music.
All About That Bass
If you know the lyrics to this song, definitely sing along as you play this song. It will help you with the syncopated rhythms. For the Bb to B natural change in the first measure, it’s alright to have an audible slide as that will mimic the vocal line. Click here for easy violin song sheet music.
A Whole New World
We can all thank the 1992 animated classic “Aladdin” for introducing the world to this amazing tune. In this song, the syncopated and quarter note triplet rhythms can be confusing at first. Try playing along with a recording of the song to see if you can hear how those rhythms are played. You can even sing along while you play if that helps. Click here for the sheet music.
Uptown Funk
Bruno Mars’ famous song “Uptown Funk” is the ultimate earworm. And once you know how to play this easy violin song, it’ll be forever stuck in your head, too! The key to mastering this fun and upbeat tune is to use a shorter bow to really capture those quick, clear beats.
I’m Yours
Jason Mraz’s hit, “I’m Yours,” will forever be a favorite. When you pick up your instrument to play this easy violin song for beginners, don’t get intimidated by all the sixteenth-note rhythms. Take it slow at first and gradually work your way up to the correct tempo. Play the original track a few times to solidify the rhythm in your head, making it easier to emulate it. Once you begin to pick up speed on your violin, you can play along with the track until you master it.
Old Joe Clark
This fiddle tune sounds impressive when you play it fast, but it’s not very difficult because of all the repeated notes. Practice the rhythmic pattern on open strings first to make sure you feel it in your bow arm, then add the written notes. This is a great song to show your friends how much you’ve progressed in your learning experience. Click here for the easy violin sheet music.
SEE ALSO: THE 5 BEST VIOLIN SONGS OF ALL TIME
Easy Violin Songs: Rock
Are you ready to rock out with these classic tunes? These beginner songs to play on violin are sure to “wow” your rock ’n’ roll audience. Use the simple tips below to help you perfect any of these violin songs, and don’t forget to jam along with the recordings!
Another One Bites The Dust
This classic tune by the British rock band Queen sounds insane on the violin. The 16th notes in this song are tricky, but if you spend some time counting and clapping the rhythm, you’ll know it cold. You could also practice singing the lyrics, as they have the rhythm built into them. Click here for the sheet music.
Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds
Everyone knows “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” is one of the most famous Beatles songs, but it will no doubt challenge you when you’re learning how to play it on the violin. Watch out for the key change and time signature change in this piece. The feel of the music changes when going from 3/4 to 4/4, so try clapping the two meters first, making an accent on the first beat of each measure. Click here for the sheet music.
She Loves You
This is a fast song, but don’t try to play it fast right away. For the syncopated sections, try counting and clapping them first to make sure you understand the rhythm. It’s ok to clap them slowly at first and then work up the speed over a bunch of repetitions. Click here for the sheet music.
Stairway To Heaven
In the opening section, use fourth finger for the high E (instead of the E string) because you don’t have any notes higher than E. Practice those G to A slurs to make sure your bow arm is creating the slur cleanly between the D and A strings. Click here for the violin sheet music.
Hotel California
The Eagles gave us so many great songs from “Desperado” and “Lyin’ Eyes” to “Already Gone,” but “Hotel California” might be their best. In the verse, the rhythm for each phrase can be slightly different. If you’re just playing for fun, don’t be afraid to simplify the rhythms a bit, or repeat just one verse. In the chorus, try to mimic the vocal echo on “such a lovely place” and “any time of year” by playing the first time loud and the second time soft. Click here for the violin sheet music.
Lean on Me
If you want a nice slow, smooth song to fiddle around on, you can’t get much smoother than Bill Withers’ top hit, “Lean on Me.” This epic song is the ideal tempo for beginners looking to focus on capturing the notes and mastering their bowing techniques. You can’t go wrong with this iconic song.
Easy Violin Songs: Classical
These easy classical songs to play on violin are perfect for your first performance. Not only do these beginner violin songs sound beautiful, but they are fairly easy to perfect. Again, use the helpful tips below to guide you throughout your practice.
Minuet 2
The opening arpeggio in this Bach piece sounds impressive if you can play it cleanly. Practice it slowly first to feel where the bow changes strings. If you move your bow arm too much, you’ll overshoot the A string on your way to the E string. Click here for the violin sheet music.
Hunter’s Chorus
Have fun with the 16th notes in this piece. They add excitement and vitality to the song. The string changes on the 16th notes are tricky to line with your left hand’s fingers, so be sure to practice them slowly at first. Really dig into the accents in the second half of the piece. Click here for the violin sheet music.
Fanfare Minuet
The repeated notes in this song let you play faster than in other songs. Challenge yourself to play all the eighth notes cleanly, and to make distinct accents. Click here for the sheet music.
Morning Has Broken
The three-note slurs in this piece can be tricky, especially the ones that include string changes. Isolate the parts of the slurs that are hardest and make a little exercise for yourself that you can do as part of your warm-up. Click here for the sheet music.
What Child Is This
This is a great song to practice legato playing, as well as playing with two flats. Remember to use your fourth finger on the A string to play the high Eb’s. Click here for the violin sheet music.
Amazing Grace
While it might be considered one of the easy songs on violin to play, no one has to know that. This beautiful song can bring anyone to tears with its dreamy progressions and slow tempo. And if you really want to blow this song out of the water, round up another violinist to duet with you or find someone who can sing the lyrics. You’ll be a force to be reckoned with!
In addition to the popular tunes we’ve explored above, everyone has their own favorites. Finding songs you actually enjoy playing is often the key to mastering an instrument. After all, the more you play, the better you’ll get. Look within your community to find songs that are meaningful to your friends and loved ones, and then have them all sing along as you play. From Celtic anthem fiddling to simple violin notes for Tamil songs, these four-stringed instruments play an important role in cultures around the globe.
Whether you are looking to shine with some solo songs or join a string orchestra, start with the basics. If you choose songs that are too challenging, you might get discouraged. Once you get the hang of these 19 beginner violin songs, you’ll be ready to start tackling more difficult pieces.
Become a Skilled Violin Player & Sign Up for Lessons Today!
Want to improve your playing skills even more? Consider signing up for violin lessons. Under the instruction of a private violin teacher, you can speed up your progress, develop new violin techniques, and take on new songs before you know it. Looking for even more songs to play? Check out these 50 easy songs to play on violin.
Suzy S.