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Hi guys
This is my first video, I'm not really playing anything, but I'm showing you guys my new strings vs. my old strings and some of you said you'd look at my bow arm since I have alot of tendsion in my bowarm around the wrist/forearm.
I know I say "uhm" alot in this video, it's an old habbit of mine, and I apologize 
Here is the video - thanks to you all
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OK, first. Thank you so much for that very detailed slow and controlled practice. The new strings sound much more full and smooth sounding. Good choice.
Now down to the critique...
Dude, You hold exactly like I do and I can't see anything wrong, per se with your hold! You're relaxed, fingers over the top, I assume your thumb is clamping the frog 'cause I can't see it but you'd drop the bow if it wasn't, LOL, so... The only difference is that you have exceptionally long arms (because you're tall obviously.) and mine are a little shorter...and I tend to drop my elbow a touch when playing up near the frog, you on the other hand tend to keep your elbow higher as it appears and I find absolutely nothing wrong with your hold.
I'm curious if you have any numbness in your fingertips of any fingers (left or right hand) after playing for 10 minutes or so? Do you feel any tightness and/or neck pain after practice in addition to your wrist pain?
I had the numb fingers thing going on for while but a trip to the chiropractor who adjusted my neck and upper back took it away instantly. I wasn't able to play for more than about 1 or 2 tunes and the quality of my playing suffered as well until said adjustment. Now I can play for an hour non-stop without issue. Just a thought, because your smoothness of bowing and your hold is outstanding in my beginners opinion.
Maybe Pierre can see something I'm missing but you look great...play on.
"If you practice with your hands you must practice all day. Practice with your mind and you can accomplish the same amount in minutes." Nathan Milstein
I like the new strings aswell, the ones I switched out were ooold, so I think it was about time - but this proves to me that violin easily can become an "equipment sport" for a gadget-freak like me ! More stuff, need more stuff 
Wow, thanks for the kind words - that's really encouraging
My tendsion might be a combination between my work as a programmer and playing the violin (repeting movements all day long)... I notice that the most tendsion comes, when I've been practising the long bowstrokes, the strokes which goes from the froch to the tip, all the way. That's why I assume that it might be when my arm is streching all the way out.
Yeah, I have a bit long arms, and that has caused some problems in my left arm - but I'm working on that already and it hasn't caused any injuries yet but my previous teacher noticed and told me to correct it
I've never experienced any numbness, but I've had alot of back problems in my life, and i once was a weekly gues at the chiropractor, so maybe looking at that could prove a usefull advice.
Thanks for the thorough and swift reply
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I agree with cdennyb > Don't know how long you been at this but you seem to be doing just fine.
Long arm thing > I feel is an extention of what style one is playing. Classical players > from what I have seen, seem to extend more. Fiddlers > seem to play more compressed. So maybe it is just the gig your into now.
I'm thinking that being relaxed, normal breathing, etc is huge. I tend to hold my breath > YEAH ~~ thats sort of weird > and when I am done with a song I'm working on I almost fall over from lack of air. > Yeah > gots issues.
Good vid > keep bringing it.
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Thanks for the video John,
First of all you look like you are doing everything right.The only thing that is not visible is flexibility in your bowing fingers. I'm not sure if that could help you with the pain though.
Making sure that you are not over tensing up is very important. Your idea about tensing at the tip of the bow is very common and real. Sometimes turning the instrument more to the left relieves the tension a bit.
Which part of your arm exactly is in pain?
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
I can't see your thumb well on your right hand but it seems to be gripping to tightly. Try curving the thumb with more of a natural arch and release all the tension in your hand. The bow will not fall.
@StoneDog About the holding your breath part. I know how that is, I tend to hold my breath alot and tighten alot of muscles, among others my lips. Dunno why but it looks horrible 
But thanks, I think I'll make a vid, just playing a song at some point, since I can tell that it's a really good way of getting feedback - also watched alot of videos from other guys in here, it's really educating and fun to watch.
@Fiddlerman it feels like my muscles are very overused right around here: https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.....XObfGh_pMQ - I've practised a bit yesterday and some more today, I havent felt anything (yet). I think it is because I havent focused on the "full-slow-strokes"-part... I usually practise that for around 5 minutes every time I practise, but I've skipped that this week... maybe that's where I'm doing it wrong...
@kevin-m It might be true, I have en tendancy to grip very hard on anything - squeezing the neck of the violin too hard is a problem I'm struggeling with, so why not the bow aswell I can be a bit more gentle and relaxed, but as soon I'm forgetting it, then I'm squeezing again There are so much stuff to remember
I think my conclusion is that I'm tensing up when I'm at the tip of the bow, especially when practising slow strokes - I'll watch out for the tight grips - thanks for the good advice and feedback guys 
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Try putting a piece of tape on your hand. Just a little piece will keep your brain from forgetting that you should be relaxing your hand.
Opportunity is often missed because it wears suspenders and looks like hard work.
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Perhaps you should rest your hand for a week and then start with baby steps. Stretch lightly before each session and afterwards as well. Keep relaxation in mind when doing other tasks as well including your work. Even though the violin might have triggered it, you may be worsening it with all other usages.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
Hi guys
I went to the pharmacist and complained about my lousy arm, and she said that it's most likely inflammation in the lower arm and probably the elbow.
Now I'm using a "glove" with some metal in it to prevent me from using my wrist at work, and the I use some anti-inflammatory gel...
@Fiddlerman I always stretch, but probably way too hard... which might just make it worse, now that I think about it, so that's an advice I'll follow.
@Georganne That's a pretty neat idea - I just played for around 30 minutes, with no pain though but I kept forgetting to relax enough...
thanks for all the good advice guys !
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