Don't Fret Don`t 15" Viola Fingerboard Marking (DFVIOLA15)

I just purchased my second one...more on that in a minute.When learning an instrument like viola or violin, particularly for a real beginner like me, finger positions are hard. Really hard. I am now 1 year into learning viola and this decal has been a huge aid for me. It allowed me to play many works that would have been very difficult for me and focus on where on the neck to place my fingers for the desired sound. In fact, while I will eventually dispense with it, that will not be for a while, I suspect.I bought my viola in June of 2016 and installed the don't fret at that time. Because of the way I hold the neck, I have lifted the decal off a little at the top which can give the viola a tinny sound on the A string. So I am replacing the decal now. I think that the next one will last longer, but since they are not expensive, that is not a big deal. Great product!

Good practice fingering guide. I purchase the full size cello sticker for my wife who was just starting to learn and practice cello. I understand it is a learning crutch, but she doesn't plan on performing publicly and simply just wants to learn how to play quickly and correctly. I know there are some "diehard" traditionalists out there to swear against them, but it does make learning fun and easier. I recommend loosening the strings before carefully applying the sticker. But once in place, it sticks and stays in the place. Then to help her find the correct notes, I will sometimes use a blue, yellow, pink and green or orange highlighter to color the notes on sheet music. I know it's a learning crutch, but it makes finding and playing the correct note faster and easier....the more positive feedback they get in playing a correct note, the longer they stay with learning music and different musical instruments (I hope). I have used the same Don't Fret finger guides on my son's 1/4 and 1/2 sized violins too.

These are beautifully made, they are clear, they stick well, they're super easy to place, and the instructions are clear. I normally buy them from our local music store, but they were out of the size I needed.I took off one star, because of how they were packaged: in an envelope. This allowed it to crease, and it's thick plastic, so the crease remains, even after pressing it and playing with it, and you can feel it when you're playing. So I'll be replacing it soon. Even tho I just got it, and all the other ones lasted longer than he used that size of instrument.

Has worked well so far. I'm not sure how I feel about their choice in color but I just needed lines at the right position based upon specific bridge placement and I did get that! (Also, having the bridge to nut distance printed on to this is a great way to make sure I won't forget. Cudos to however made that suggestion)

I thought this would be helpful to my eleven year old daughter who is learning to play the viola, but I was wrong! It didn't occur to me to check how accurate the lines were before I slapped the sticker on. The notes on the lines were sharp, so you would have to press the strings behind the lines. It was more trouble than it was worth, so I tore it off really quick. My daughter's teacher put a few pieces of tape on the fingerboard and those were so much better!

I like this guide a lot, but I"m concerned because it uses adhesive to stick to the fretboard. I have a violet that uses fretless, and that sticks to itself not the violin. But this guide is very helpful.

This is just what my daughter had needed to assist her with hit the right notes. Also it had been an easy install.

Make sure your strings are 375 mm from nut to bridge! This decal does not work for all violas.