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what causes 'bow bounce and w
hat can I do about it?
Regulars
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It can be several things. Most likely: your bowhair may be too tight, your arm/wrist/hand may be too tense. The hair should not be saggy but should have a bit of give to it. You should relax while playing too.
If that doesnt help, post a video and the members can give you some feedback.
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Shanda said
what causes 'bow bounce and what can I do about it?
Bounce ie "ricochet" is a technique that you can use. mostly in its unwanted form its a result of lack of bow control when changing strings, most often moving from a lower to higher pitch. Try playing more towards your frog for those changes and you will have better control. I think, Im sure, probably.
"Please play some wrong notes, so that we know that you are human" - said to Jascha Heifetz.
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Bounce has been one of my most persistent and annoying problems. Some things that seem to help -- in addition to what was said above -- are:
1. Closing my eyes while practicing scales or memorized songs until the bouncing stops. This helps me feel what the correct motion should feel like.
2. Focusing on lengthening my bow stroke. Feeling that the bow is about to start bouncing can make me stop my stroke too soon, but if I work past that point, it seems to settle down and smooth out.
3. Tilting the bow from side to side sometimes prevents a bounce.
Hope that helps a little.
When the work's all done and the sun's settin' low,
I pull out my fiddle and I rosin up the bow.
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What part of the bow are you playing on when it bounces. This can say a lot about what the problem is. If it is at the upper half it is probably tension from the stretch in the wrist. You can bring the violin higher up on your collar bone to bring it closer to the tip of the bow.
If it bounces in the middle, check out the angle of the bow on the sting. At the frog you can turn the bow inwards a bit.
Relaxed fingers and a good bow hold helps a lot.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Thanks for all the suggestions, I'll give them a try. Posting a video is a great idea...I'll try that if I still can't get a handle on it. I already know my bowing sucks, something to definatly work on until I can get the help of a teacher in a couple of months. Hopefully I don't form too many bad habits until then.
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whoa whoa whoa, slow down. your bowing doesnt have to suck until you get a teacher. Its too easy to fix now rather than let it continue. Watch FM tutorials and make that change girl. Once you fix the easy stuff, then we will start on the other.
"Please play some wrong notes, so that we know that you are human" - said to Jascha Heifetz.
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picklefish said
whoa whoa whoa, slow down. your bowing doesnt have to suck until you get a teacher. Its too easy to fix now rather than let it continue. Watch FM tutorials and make that change girl. Once you fix the easy stuff, then we will start on the other.
Already on it.
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Regulars
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Ive rotated my bow hand around more since I gave you advice and any bouncy I had is all but completely gone. Course, now I feel like I am hugging a barrel when I bow but that might be normal. up and down motion with the wrist is def the way to go though.
"Please play some wrong notes, so that we know that you are human" - said to Jascha Heifetz.
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LOL, Good for you picklefish.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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picklefish said
Ive rotated my bow hand around more since I gave you advice and any bouncy I had is all but completely gone. Course, now I feel like I am hugging a barrel when I bow but that might be normal. up and down motion with the wrist is def the way to go though.
If you get that "hugging a barrel" feeling, you're probably trying to play the violin out to your side too much as well.
Give this a try. Bring the peg box of the instrument more around in front of you, which will help you to not have to reach out so far and will be very beneficial in getting in long bow strokes without undue stress on your right arm and shoulder. It will also help a bunch in keeping the bow parallel with the bridge and prevent it from wandering around so much.
"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
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I'm not a fan of having the violin too far in front of you because it makes it hard to use the tip of the bow and to have the violin high enough up on your collarbone. A nice compromise between completely to the side and in front should work great.
If your left arm is swinging under the violin too much and you feel lot's of tension on your chest muscle you may want to tone back slightly till it's nice and relaxed.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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I actually did the opposite and left the violin at the same angle as my knee, about two thirds back where its comfy. I brought my bow arm more around in front of me and reposistioned my hand so my wrist movement is more up and down and not so much side to side while still maintaining a traditional hold. I can feel its much easier to adjust the pressure on the bow and I seem to dig in a bit better so that has allowed me to make quicker and cleaner string changes. my speed has improved cause its more wristy. Its hard to explain but I am making a video this sunday anyways. I tried like FM plays his in his tutorials but it seems from the angle that his elbow is way under the violin, almost in front of it and Im not sure thats how I want to do it. Although it seems to have worked out pretty well for him. ha ha!
"Please play some wrong notes, so that we know that you are human" - said to Jascha Heifetz.
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You know picklefish, I play a lot with the violin out to the side but because I always try looking at the video it looks like it is in front of me.
Also their are different benefits to both ways, that is why I like to say between in front and completely out to the side.
Try having it to the side like you do then look over your violin with your head only and you'll understand my position.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Mine is about a 45 degree angle so I think I have it where you are recommending. I will post a vid and everyone can see and hopefully itll be good. Appreciate the helps!
"Please play some wrong notes, so that we know that you are human" - said to Jascha Heifetz.
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Fiddlerman said
What part of the bow are you playing on when it bounces. This can say a lot about what the problem is. If it is at the upper half it is probably tension from the stretch in the wrist. You can bring the violin higher up on your collar bone to bring it closer to the tip of the bow.
If it bounces in the middle, check out the angle of the bow on the sting. At the frog you can turn the bow inwards a bit.
Relaxed fingers and a good bow hold helps a lot.
Thanks for the advise! I watched some of your tutorials on holding the violin, bow etc. I'd been trying to use the correct bowhold but wasn't sure if it was right...if felt awkward and uncomfortable. Your video gave a better explanation and visual and it felt SO much better. The video also helped me find a position to hold the violin that felt alot better also. I'll watch them again tomorrow for a refresher before I start practicing and see how much it helps the bounce...I'm positive it will. I'll have to watch to see where the bow is bouncing for sure. Thanks for the great videos and tips, they're a great help!
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Well, an update for me before I record again. Ive been making a conscious effort to have my elbow more underneath the violin. its weird and uncomfortable feeling but thats supposed to subside with more practice. I am stretching more since my practicing sessions are taking longer now.
"Please play some wrong notes, so that we know that you are human" - said to Jascha Heifetz.
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Sounds good but caution to not overdo it. I'd hate to see you having bad pain that is hard to get rid of.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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taking it slow and easy, not straining. But, I am concerned that I wouldnt have the best overall posistioning of the instrument. ah, well. We will see how the next batch of vids come out and can evaluate as time goes on.
"Please play some wrong notes, so that we know that you are human" - said to Jascha Heifetz.
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