[Violin] Recommended practice pieces for violin beginners. Famous pieces you’ll want to try playing.
Even as adults, many of us still dream of one day playing the violin with elegance.
When you finally take the plunge, buy a violin, and get ready to play, choosing the right practice pieces becomes very important.
If you don’t find the music engaging, you won’t keep up with practice; but if it’s too difficult, you might give up quickly.
In this article, we’ve put together a list of pieces that are perfect for beginner violin practice.
We’ve included not only classical masterpieces, but also popular tunes that are favorites for violin performance.
These are all well-known songs, and there are plenty of beginner-friendly arrangements available, so you can feel confident starting out.
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[Violin] Recommended practice pieces for beginner violinists: Famous songs you’ll want to try (1–10)
A Town with an Ocean ViewHisaishi Joe
From the title alone, it’s very romantic: “A Town with an Ocean View” from director Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli’s Kiki’s Delivery Service.
The composer is Joe Hisaishi, who is also a pianist and conductor, and the piece vividly reflects the film’s beautiful European scenery and warmth of the people.
As a work known and loved by many, there are plenty of beginner-friendly practice scores and tutorial videos available.
Fingerings are written in, and there are videos of actual performances, making it a great environment for learning by watching.
You can play it with the bow, but in the original, there’s also a pizzicato technique—plucking the strings with your fingers—used in the phrase right after the intro.
Listen to the original, and try practicing not only with the bow but also with pizzicato.
If I’m wrapped in kindnessArai Yumi
Singing and the violin are a perfect match.
If you’re looking for violin practice pieces, how about the theme song from Studio Ghibli’s Kiki’s Delivery Service, “Yasashisa ni Tsutsumareta nara”? Refreshing and, as the title suggests, filled with kindness and nostalgia, this piece has a simple melody that even beginner violinists can play.
For the opening leap, be sure to place your string crossings and fingerings accurately, and work on producing the sound so that the slurs are smooth.
If slurs are difficult, it’s fine to change the bow for now, but gradually practice to incorporate the slurs and get closer to the song’s image.
Studio Ghibli tunes are widely known, so there are many arrangement scores available for beginner instrumentalists.
It’s fine to go slowly—practice other pieces too and build up your repertoire.
A Cruel Angel’s ThesisSatou Hidetoshi
The theme song of “Neon Genesis Evangelion,” synonymous with anime songs, is “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis.” You might think it would be difficult to play on an instrument, but globally popular songs are often easy to sing and familiar, which means their range and melodies are frequently well-suited to instrumental performance, too.
Because “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis” is in C minor, it can actually be a tricky key for the violin; however, since you already know the song, the rhythm and melody are in your head.
Try practicing little by little while paying attention to the score, bowing, and fingering.
As you become able to play a song you know, you’ll likely find the joy of the instrument growing day by day.
[Violin] Recommended practice pieces for violin beginners. Famous pieces you might want to try playing (11–20)
Pachelbel’s CanonJohann Pachelbel
Pachelbel’s Canon is a recommended practice piece for beginner violinists.
Composed by Johann Pachelbel, it is characterized by its graceful melody.
There are many arrangements tailored for beginners, and the canon form allows players to enjoy unique harmonies while improving their technique.
In 1968, it became widely known through a performance conducted by Jean-François Paillard, and it is now beloved by many performers.
Its beautiful melody showcases the violin’s resonant sound and is sure to help sustain motivation during practice.
Shining Future ~Tangled~Alan Menken
One recommended piece for people who love Disney and have started learning the violin is “I See the Light,” a song from Tangled.
It’s memorable how Rapunzel, the heroine, begins to sing as sky lanterns rise during the birthday celebration of the kingdom’s princess—held in the belief that she will return—creating a quintessentially Disney, dreamlike scene.
The original is in C major and can be played entirely in first position, making it approachable.
To play it beautifully, focus on your bowing technique and practice maintaining accurate intonation and a solid tone.
TraumereiRobert Schumann
For those who have started taking lessons at a music school and are practicing from scales, some may find jumping straight into classical music difficult.
However, among the many classical masterpieces with long histories, there are certainly pieces that even beginner violinists can learn to play.
How about “Träumerei” by Robert Schumann? In the introduction videos, some are designed to make practice easier by including finger numbers and color-coding for the strings as supplementary explanations alongside the sheet music.
There are also performance clips as demonstrations, so you can pause and check whenever you feel unsure, making these videos supportive for anyone who wants to improve.
It’s a highly recommended piece for those who want to play classical music properly and prefer to start with something accessible rather than a difficult piece.
Flowers will bloom.Kanno Yōko
This charity song was created to support both the material and emotional recovery of the areas and people affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake that occurred on March 11, 2011, and since its release it has soothed the hearts of many.
Gentle and full of hope, the song continues to give listeners the joy of living and the courage to walk toward the future.
Designed as a charity song so that many different people can sing it, “Hana wa Saku” is, of course, also easy to play on instruments, and its beautiful melody stirs the performer’s emotions as well.
Although it is slow and easy to play, it has a wide range, covering from the G string to the E string.
Be careful not to touch other strings when changing strings, and practice thoroughly so that each note rings cleanly.