A teaching aid for instructing proper finger position on a "fret-less"
stringed instrument (for example, violin, viola, cello, bass) comprises a
template that is positioned along the fingerboard at the proper finger
position location (i.e., "first position") for the first four half-steps
associated with each string. A set of raised, "Braille-like" features is
formed as a grid pattern on the surface of the template, with each row of
features associated with each tone half step. Each "row" contains a set
of three raised features--a separate feature located between an adjacent
pair of strings. Once the template is properly positioned, the raised
features are pressed out of the template and transferred to adhere to the
fingerboard. By locating the raised features between the strings, the
teaching aid does not interfere with sound quality or the ability to
induce vibrato to the playing, while still providing a tactile clue for
the proper note location for intonation purposes. Once the student has
mastered proper finger placement, the raised features may be removed.