Space It! for Violin: Violin Book

Cohen presents 2nd finger spacing not as an abstract concept but as a tangible, repeatable challenge within melodies students already know and enjoy. The double-page format—offering the same tune in two finger patterns at different octaves—gives students the satisfaction of musical accomplishment while their hands absorb the spatial logic of the new position. The playful alien characters transform what could feel like a technical chore into a genuine reward within the lesson.

Welcoming and playful, with bright melodies that sit comfortably under the hand. The presentation style—complete with whimsical alien characters—creates an atmosphere of discovery rather than difficulty, making the technical work feel like exploring new sonic territory rather than drilling fundamentals.

Young violin students encountering 2nd finger spacing for the first time, typically in the first year of study. This book works equally well in private lessons and group teaching settings where students benefit from structured, familiar repertoire as a vehicle for position extension.

• Play through each piece first in finger pattern one to establish the melody securely before shifting perspective to pattern two. Muscle memory for the tune itself frees the student's attention for spacing adjustment.
• Return to the fingering charts whenever spacing feels uncertain. Refer to them not as a crutch but as a conversation between hand position and page, reinforcing the connection between visual information and physical placement.
• Isolate the measures where 2nd finger appears in the new octave, playing just those fragments several times over. Repetition at this granular level builds confidence before full-piece run-throughs.

Use this as the cornerstone of your 2nd finger work during the first year of study, progressing through one or two pieces each week alongside your primary method or lesson sequence. The well-known tunes allow students to perform them in informal settings (group classes, family listening sessions) once a pattern is secure, building confidence and musical independence without requiring additional preparation.

• 2nd finger spacing and intonation in the extended position
• Reading and executing two different finger patterns for the same melodic content
• Shifting awareness from finger pattern one to pattern two without losing secure tone or intonation
• Familiarity with interval relationships in an expanded range on the violin