Free Violin Tabs (Fiddle Tab)
Can't read standard music notation? Fiddle tab shows you exactly where to place your fingers using a simple string-and-number system written right below the notes. Below you'll find free violin tabs for popular traditional, Celtic, classical, and holiday tunes — download the PDF, follow the tab, and start playing today.
Browse Free Tabs Learn to Read Fiddle TabWhat Is Fiddle Tab?
Fiddle tab is a visual shorthand placed underneath standard notation. Each note shows you two things: which string to play and which finger position (or "fret") to use. For example, a "G2" means play the G string with your 2nd finger.
Once you know your four open strings (G, D, A, E) and the first-position finger pattern, you can follow almost any tune in this system — no need to read standard notation right away. It's especially useful for beginners, returning players, and anyone who finds traditional sheet music overwhelming at first.
New to Fiddle Tab? Start Here.
Not sure how the string-and-number system works yet? Read the full beginner's guide — Learning the Violin is Easy with Fiddle Tab — which covers tape-marking your fingerboard, naming your open strings, reading your first scales in tab, and a fully worked example with "House of the Rising Sun."
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Free Violin & Fiddle Tabs
Each tune below includes a free downloadable PDF with fiddle tab notation. Click "Download" to save your copy, then check out the full collection it's from for more tunes in the same style.
House of the Rising Sun – Fiddle Tab (Free PDF Download)
From Fiddle Tab – Traditional Collection
Download Free PDF
Danny Boy – Fiddle Tab (Free PDF Download)
From Fiddle Tab – Traditional Collection
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Old Joe Clark – Fiddle Tab (Free PDF Download)
From Fiddle Tab – Traditional Collection
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Drowsy Maggie – Fiddle Tab (Free PDF Download)
From Fiddle Tab – Celtic Collection
A beloved Irish reel often played in E Dorian, giving it a haunting, ancient quality — great for building speed and bow control.
Download Free PDF
Loch Lomond – Fiddle Tab (Free PDF Download)
From Fiddle Tab – Celtic Collection
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Black Velvet Band – Fiddle Tab (Free PDF Download)
From Fiddle Tab – Celtic Collection
An Irish/British folk ballad about a man tricked into theft and transported to Australia — a pub session staple with a catchy, singable chorus.
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Ave Maria (Gounod) – Violin Tab (Free PDF Download)
From Easy Classical Violin Tabs
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Canon in D (Pachelbel) – Violin Tab (Free PDF Download)
From Easy Classical Violin Tabs
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Jingle Bells – Fiddle Tab (Free PDF Download)
From Fiddle Tab – Holiday Collection
Download Free PDFLooking for a Specific Song?
Some popular songs — like "Wagon Wheel," "Cherry," "Dust in the Wind," "Tennessee Waltz," or "The Long Black Veil" — aren't public domain, so they aren't included as free downloads here. I've arranged violin tab versions of many of these as individual sheet music titles.
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Musician's Practice Planner
Stay consistent and track your progress with a printable practice planner built for any instrument.
View Planner →Play Mandolin Too?
Many fiddle players double on mandolin. Explore the Mandolin Learning Path for books, tabs, and tunes.
Explore Mandolin →Fiddle Tab – Traditional Collection
30 of the most-requested traditional tunes, fully tabbed with fingerboard charts and guitar chords.
View Book →Fiddle Tab – Celtic Collection
30 of the most-requested Celtic session tunes — jigs, reels, hornpipes, and waltzes.
View Book →Easy Classical Violin Tabs
30 classical masterpieces in 1st position with tab, notes, bowings, and articulations.
View Book →Fiddle Tab – Holiday Collection
30 holiday classics for violin/fiddle with easy-read tablature, chords, and lyrics.
View Book →
About the author: Brent Robitaille is a Canadian music educator and publisher (Kalymi Music) with over 40 years of teaching experience and credentials from McGill University, York University, Humber College, and the Royal Conservatory of Music. He has published 60+ instructional music books across guitar, mandolin, ukulele, violin/fiddle, and related instruments.
Want a Structured Path Instead?
If you'd rather follow a clear, beginner-friendly progression — with lessons, playlists, books, and a practice plan all in one place — start with the Violin & Fiddle Learning Path.
Go to the Learning Path