Where it comes from
An American nursery rhyme, and the first piece in almost every violin tutor.
Mary Had a Little Lamb
A first C major tune that stays on the D and A strings, fingers one to three.
Score
- Level
- Beginner
- Key
- C major · no sharps or flats
- Time
- 4/4
- Bars
- 8
- Range
- C4 – G4
- Fingering
- not marked
How to practise this piece
Take it at 77 BPM first, then move up to 96 once the notes sit under your fingers.
What this piece trains
Mixing stopped notes with open strings for the first time, using only fingers 1 to 3 on the D and A strings.
Where it usually goes wrong
The wrist collapses when the third finger lands and the sound thins; open and stopped notes rarely match in volume.
Does it need shifting?
Range C4–G4; everything stays in first position, no shifting.
Practice steps
- Bow the open D and A first and get them sounding alike before placing any finger.
- Pause at each bar to check the finger, then join the bars together.