G'day Marion,

Back when many children were expected to learn violin (my Dad struggled with it fir some time, as a lad) it was common to have accurately pre-printed paper sheets that could be lightly glued to the fingerboard ... then removed with little or no harm once the student gained confidence. I don't know if someome still has these hidden away in the back of the stockroom.

Another, more permanent approach was the Manby Patent Fingerboard, which had very shallow depressions at the 'fret' lines. This was just enough to let you feel the correct position ... better, in its way, than having to look at the fingerboard ... but it played merry hob with glissandos when you were a better player, so i guess it was strictly a separate "learner's" instrument. A friend, here in Australia owned one for years ... but played his better models, mostly.

Regards,

Bob Bolton