Fiddle talk - VIOLIN DISCUSSION FORUM - Playing the violin

Topic RSS

bowing problem

bounces when bowing

Topic Rating: 3 (2 votes)

blueviolin

New member

Members

September 8, 2014 - 4:24 pm

Member Since: September 8, 2014

Forum Posts: 1

Offline

How do I stop my bow from bouncing when I bow and what am I doing wrong?

coolpinkone

California, the place of my heart

September 8, 2014 - 6:42 pm

Member Since: January 11, 2012

Forum Posts: 4180

Offline

I am not the best to give advice here, but...

Going for the simple fix first maybe the bow hair is too tight. Also uneven bowing sometimes can cause a bounce. I was also told if my grip on my bow was too tight that could cause bouncing. And there is more about the bowing posture and how that can cause bouncing. (I am not really good with explaining good bowing posture). I hope some of the more knowledgable can chime in. Good luck with your bowing.

I never had a bow bounce in the beginning and now I seem to have it occasionally.

Cheers,

Toni

Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato

Fiddlerman

Fort Lauderdale

September 8, 2014 - 7:23 pm

Member Since: September 26, 2010

Forum Posts: 15407

Offline

I can give you a lot of tips but the best advice will come if you post a video of yourself playing. We'd be able to see exactly what you are doing and probably give you a few tips to get you in the right direction.
What Toni said about having the hair too tight is a good point.
At what point in the bow does the bow bounce? Is it towards the tip? If so, it has to do with the tension that builds up when your arm is stretched with your hand in a certain position. The easiest solution for that is to get your violin higher up so that your arm doesn't have to travel as far to use that part of the bow.
I'd like to see how you are holding the bow and how much flexibility you have in your hand and fingers. The grip can be a big factor. Extra tension can cause bounce....

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

RosinedUp

Honorary tenured advisor

Members

Regulars

September 8, 2014 - 9:24 pm

Member Since: September 7, 2012

Forum Posts: 985

Offline

I think there can be many causes of bow bounce.

I think the most important thing is to pull the bow in the same direction that it's pointing.

I've found that one great exercise for forming that habit is to bow two strings at once. If you tune your violin by bowing two strings at once, you also get practice that will reduce bow bounce.