Welcome to our forum. A Message To Our New and Prospective Members . Check out our Forum Rules. Lets keep this forum an enjoyable place to visit.

Check out our 2023 Group Christmas Project HERE

AAA
Avatar
Please consider registering
guest
sp_LogInOut Log Insp_Registration Register
Register | Lost password?
Advanced Search
Forum Scope




Match



Forum Options



Minimum search word length is 3 characters - maximum search word length is 84 characters
sp_Feed Topic RSSsp_TopicIcon
Question about proper Bow technique
Topic Rating: 0 Topic Rating: 0 Topic Rating: 0 Topic Rating: 0 Topic Rating: 0 Topic Rating: 0 (0 votes) 
Avatar
I2ain

Member
Members
April 25, 2012 - 1:09 am
Member Since: April 13, 2012
Forum Posts: 10
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

Hey guys!

 

So I've been practicing for about a week now, and one main issue that I seem to be having is with my bow technique. I have focused a lot on holding the bow properly, and I think that I have finally gotten that part down. However, I find it very difficult to steadily draw the bow across the strings. I almost get a very slight but rapid bouncing that causes several reverberations of the same note. I have just sat there for quite some time going back and forth trying to eliminate it, but I'm not sure what to do.

 

Also, how close do players typically get to the frog on their bow while playing? I can't help but feel that if I get even within 6 inches or so of it, I start to get terrible screeching. Should I train myself to never go that close or is there a better technique for playing close to the frog? Is the bow too tight? Am I pushing too hard or not hard enough?

 

Many questions, I know, but I know that this technique is very important to master. Thanks for any help, guys.

Avatar
Joe

Honorary tenured advisor
Members

Regulars
April 25, 2012 - 1:35 am
Member Since: April 21, 2012
Forum Posts: 595
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

Well, Im new at this fiddling thing too....but as far as the bow bouncing and the vibrato that comes with it, Im trying to use it to my advantage. 

Im so far away from getting my fingers to do the vibrato thing that to experience the sound even by accident when playing long notes is a welcome.

In the mean time I am learning better to control the bow and make it do what I want rather than what IT wants...if you get my meaning.

Welcome and good luck. This is a good group of people.

coffee 

Avatar
NoirVelours
Quebec

Honorary tenured advisor
Members

Regulars
April 25, 2012 - 7:59 am
Member Since: March 28, 2012
Forum Posts: 822
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

You can come to an inch from the frog if you want to, have to keep the same pressure though to keep the same sound. The bouncing effect, I had it also, same thing have to control your bow instead of letting it lie down on the strings. You control it with index and pinkie balancing it, putting correct weight etc. I usually don't bounce but from time to time it comes back lol. Keep a relax, flexible hold and it should work out fine!cheerleader

"It can sing like a bird, it can cry like a human being, it can be very angry, it can be all that humans are" Maxim Vengerov

Avatar
SaraO
Michigan

Honorary tenured advisor
Members

Regulars
April 25, 2012 - 8:21 am
Member Since: August 11, 2011
Forum Posts: 556
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

Here's an old thread with some useful info about diagnosing bouncing bow problems.

 

https://fiddlerman.com/forum/l.....t-stop-it/

 

Sorry, having trouble with the link and I've got to run. It was a question Naska posted back in October. The thread is called something like "Bouncing bow...can't stop it"

Avatar
Kevin M.
Nicholson, Pa
Members

Regulars
April 25, 2012 - 8:31 am
Member Since: September 10, 2011
Forum Posts: 1973
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

I have a feeling that when you are bowing the bow does not stay perpendicular to the strings. When a person bows from the shoulder the problem is more pronounced at the frog and then again at the tip. Try not using your shoulder but instead use your elbow and flex you wrist and fingers.  The best way to ensure you are bowing straight is to play while watching yourself in a mirror or taking a video of yourself is even better.

Avatar
Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
April 25, 2012 - 10:39 pm
Member Since: September 26, 2010
Forum Posts: 16429

Try practicing playing about a half inch off the string in the air from the frog to about the middle of the bow and then back to the frog over and over again. To do this you will need to curve your pinky and have it on top of the stick.

Also, try angling your bow inwards slightly to create a shock absorber effect with the hairs.

I may have answered this twice. smile

"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."

Forum Timezone: America/New_York
Most Users Ever Online: 696
Currently Online:
Guest(s) 146
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Members Birthdays
sp_BirthdayIcon
Today None
Upcoming Sofia Leo, TKDennis, FiddleDetroit, CookiesViolin, JPferrman, Designer 88, LyleA, Stephen, Dorque, Trisha, Elaisa, wonderputz, Gordon Shumway, dougga, Russionleo, JohnG
Top Posters:
ELCBK: 7761
ABitRusty: 3915
Mad_Wed: 2849
Barry: 2690
Fiddlestix: 2647
Oliver: 2439
Gordon Shumway: 2425
DanielB: 2379
Mark: 2149
damfino: 2113
Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 3
Members: 31663
Moderators: 0
Admins: 7
Forum Stats:
Groups: 16
Forums: 81
Topics: 10590
Posts: 134224
Newest Members:
Adityaail, SoCal335, Jan Howard, edwardcheng, Oscar Stern, bryanhanson, bittruster, fiddlecastro, jackdaniel, romanmills08
Administrators: Fiddlerman: 16429, KindaScratchy: 1760, coolpinkone: 4180, BillyG: 3744, MrsFiddlerman: 2, Jimmie Bjorling: 0, Mouse: 5309