Playing sharps and flats are dependent on the key position being played…for instance, a G major scale will have one sharp note: the F Sharp…the C major scale will have what is considered all natural notes without sharps or flats. Both scales still have the exact same scale intervals with a half step between 3 and 4 and a half step between 7 and 8. Sometimes sharps or flats are played separately outside of the tonic key being played; when this is done, they’re called passing tones. For instance, if you were playing in the key of A, and wanted to play a chromatic scale, you’ll play all the passing notes, along with the major scale, which would encompass all sharps and flats from the A note up (A, A#, B, C, C#, D, D#, E, F, F#, G, G#, A)…this would be all 12 tones of the Western Musical Language…

Another consideration is determining when to address a note as flat or sharp. This would be completely dependent on the tonic key of a song. For instance, if a song is in the key of A, all passing notes would be addressed as sharps. If a song is in the key of Bb, the passing notes would then be addressed as all flats. This can mean that the note Bb in the key of Bb would be addressed as a flat…while, in the key of A, the Bb note (which is the very same note) would be addressed as an A#…

This only touches on theory…however, knowing and learning theory will assist you in determining the positions on your violin fingerboard. I encourage you to study music theory as you progress on your violin and look for a qualified violin/fiddle teacher to ensure that you gain a proper foundation.

you play the flat of a note by playing one semi-tone below the natural note.