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Hey guys, couple quick questions.
First off, my bow seems to be bouncing on the strings sometimes when I switch strings...I remember this being kind of a common thing for beginners, just not how to correct it, haha...so, any ideas on how to fix this?
Any tips for keeping the bow straight? So it doesn't wander too close to the bridge/fingerboard.
Also, I can't seem to get the G and A strings to sound proper, like they were. The violin is in tune from what I understand, and I'm being careful to play the proper notes, it just sounds...off. I know that isn't much to go on, but any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance everyone 
"Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed."
~Invictus
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JWHPC85 said
Any tips for keeping the bow straight? So it doesn't wander too close to the bridge/fingerboard.
Of course the first thing is to keep the bow square to the strings---parallel to the bridge. You bend at the wrist and elbow when doing a long stroke on one string. The shoulder should not bend much, except that when bowing close to the frog at the end of a long upbow, you will need to bend the shoulder so as to raise the elbow somewhat. Use a mirror, or better, a video camera to verify that you are bowing square to the strings. Your bow stroke will be affected by your bow hold too.
After you are bowing square, you are better able to control the distance of the hair from the bridge. Close your eyes and start bowing and try to tell where the hair is---just by listening and feeling.
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JWHPC85 said
First off, my bow seems to be bouncing on the strings sometimes when I switch strings...
I think the following is a partial solution to a bouncing bow.
I would say to imagine a plane that passes approximately through 1) the point where the hair touches the strings, 2) the frog, 3) your elbow, and 4) your shoulder. And imagine that the plane is on a hinge passing through points 1 and 4. When you change strings, the plane swings quickly on its hinge.
The shoulder does its work when changing strings: it swings the plane quickly on its hinge. When the plane arrives at the correct angle, the shoulder becomes fixed, and the wrist and elbow do the bow stroke. That way every bow stroke can be the same, independent of the string being bowed.
I wouldn't say it's possible or desirable to keep all four points in the same plane absolutely all of the time, but I think this configuration approximates a kind of "middle" or "rest" or "ready" state to which you always return.
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http://www.allthingsstrings.co.....uncing-Bow
You may find this useful. The website is an amazing resource if you like to read as I do.
"Please play some wrong notes, so that we know that you are human" - said to Jascha Heifetz.
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First of all make sure you are not tightening the bow too much. It'll bounce much easier if it is too tight. A pencil width where the distance is closest at the most for now. Less might be better. The looser hair will act a shock absorber.
Secondly, try to get your fingers to follow after the bow similar to when you paint a wall with a brush. Fingers extend on an upbow and contract slightly on the downbow. Don't push the bow across the strings, rather pull the bow across the strings if this makes any sense.
Practice long slow strokes as well as upper half for a while, middle for a while and lower half. Break it up and pay good attention to what hight you need to have your elbow for the best and smoothest stroke.
Good luck
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Nice, thanks a bunch. I'll be sure to try these.
The movements seem very foreign to me right now, however, I'm sure with time everything will seem more natural.
"Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed."
~Invictus
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ELCBK