Fretless Finger Guides® instructions page.


Here's how easy it is to
"Put it on and Play"™ Violin or Fiddle.

Step One:No need to remove or loosen the strings. Start by peeling the Guide off of the paper backing sheet. Be sure to save the backing sheet for later use.

Step 1

 

 Step Two: Slide the Guide over the fingerboard and under the strings. Make sure to get the Guide under all the strings.

Step 2

 

 Step Three: Position Guide correctly. Slide the top of the Guide up to the nut. Usually the nut is a black piece of acrylic or bone that is at the very top of your fingerboard, right where the strings start over the fingerboard. It has little grooves filed in it to "cradle" the strings. Position the two red center markers on the Guide (one at the top and one at the bottom), in the center of the middle two strings.

Step 3

 

 Step Four: Stretch and smooth the Guide over the fingerboard to form a vinyl "skin" on the fingerboard.

Step 4

 

 Step 5a: Wrap one flap around the back of the neck and press flat. Smooth out any wrinkles or bubbles on the back of the neck.

Step 5

 

Step 5b: This step shows one flap folded over the back of the neck. Any wrinkles or bubbles have been smoothed out at this point.

Step 6

 

 Step Six: Fold second flap around the back of the neck and smooth out any wrinkles or bubbles.

Step 7

 

Step Seven: The Guide is ready to use. The vinyl will be smooth and flat on the fretboard. You are ready to get started.

Step 8

After removing the Guide from your instrument, reapply the Guide face up onto the paper backing sheet by smoothing it flat onto the surface of the paper. Avoid stretching the vinyl as it will naturally try to relax back to it's original shape. Store in a cool, dry and dark place.

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How to use the Fretless Finger Guide®.

graphic of what natural notes and sharp notes and flat notes look like on the Fretless Finger Guide

To determine if a note is sharp or flat depends on whether you are ascending (going up) or descending (going down) a musical scale. When you are ascending in tone or pitch, the note in between two natural notes is sharp. When you are descending in tone or pitch, the note in between two natural notes is flat.
The graphic above shows the last three intervals on the Fretless Finger Guide®. The top row of color coded indicators and the bottom row of indicators are all natural notes. In between the two rows of natural notes is a row of sharps and flats. The first rectangle in the row of sharps and flats contains an “upward” pointing triangle that is yellow and indicates a C sharp. The “downward” pointing triangle that is orange indicates a D flat . Notice that the natural note above the yellow triangle is a yellow C and the natural note below the orange triangle is an orange D. This color coding relationship between natural notes and sharps and flats is consistent on the guide.
If you are playing a C natural and need to go up (ascend) a half tone in pitch, play a C sharp note (the note that has the Yellow up pointing triangle). If you are playing a C natural and need to go up a whole tone (note) in pitch, skip over the C sharp note to the Orange D note.
If you are playing a D natural note and need to go down (descend) a half tone in pitch, play a D flat note (the note that has the orange down pointing triangle). If you are playing a D natural and need to go down a whole tone (note) in pitch, skip over the D flat note and play the yellow C note.

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To determine your instruments scale length:
Between the D and A strings, measure from the fingerboard side of the nut to the top of the bridge stop. Usually the nut is a black piece of bone or acrylic that is at the very top of your fingerboard (right where the strings start over the fingerboard). It has little grooves filed in it to "cradle" the strings. The bridge is toward the other end of the strings and holds the strings up off the body of the instrument. On a violin the bridge is usually made of wood. The bridge also has grooves filed in it to "cradle" the strings. What you are measuring is the effective vibrating (scale) length of the string. For best results using our products the string/scale length measurement for the Full Size violin or fiddle should be 330 millimeters or approximately thirteen (13”) inches. The string/scale length for the Three Quarter (3/4) Size Violin should be 310mm or approximately twelve point two (12.2) inches. The string/scale length measurement for the Half Size violin should be 287 millimeters or approximately eleven and one third (11.3”) inches. The bridge can be moved if needed.

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To reposition the bridge:
Tuning the strings tends to pull the bridge forward or towards the nut. Additionally the feet of the bridge should always be aligned with the v shaped cuts in the f holes (sound holes) called the f notches. The bridge must be kept in a perpendicular position to avoid warping or even breaking. A perpendicular bridge sounds better too. If the bridge requires adjusting, please visit our how to position a bridge page. If you do not feel confident repositioning your bridge, we recommend that you take your instrument to a qualified instructor or violin maker and have them do it for you.

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Refitting the Half Size Guide:
If you are having difficulty getting the Half Size Guide to fit all the way up to the nut, or if you have a "low set up" violin or viola that needs refitting, don't fret. Just follow this link for help.

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