Student Researchers: Neivi Nunez and Mentor (Clive Li)

Abstract

Learning the violin is challenging for beginners because accurate finger placement is essential for producing the correct pitch. Unlike fretted instruments such as the guitar, the violin has no physical guides on the fingerboard, making it difficult for beginners to achieve consistent pitch. This project presents the design and evaluation of a removable finger-positioning adapter that helps beginners placing their fingers at the correct locations. The adapter was designed using AutoCAD and fabricated with resin 3D printing to achieve a lightweight and precise structure. Raised fret-like guides on the adapter provide tactile reference points, effectively transforming the violin into a fret-guided instrument while preserving its playability. The prototype was evaluated by measuring the frequencies of notes produced at the guided finger positions. The measured frequencies closely matched the expected values, demonstrating the accuracy of the design. This finger-positioning adapter has the potential to improve pitch accuracy, reduce the learning curve for beginners.