Adult learner, and I have been working on my bow hand for the last 7 months. Your suggestion to lower the wrist has been the key to figuring it out. It is a simple check that one can do visually as well as just feeling the hand, and it becomes virtually impossible to fall into the "bow grip of death" with a lowered wrist. The "push-ups" have also become a routine warmup for both hands. Thank you for your insight!
My professor, Dr. Call, explained this principle in terms of having the wrist following the motion of the bow. On a down bow, the wrist will help sink and settle the weight of the bow into the string. On an up bow, the wrist pulls up very slightly and their is a subtle rotation in the arm that also helps sink the weight into the string. He explained it much more concisely, and so did you. 😅
Your professor is absolutely right! There are a lot of small movements involved in smooth bowing & transitions, but if you can get it right, they make all of the difference!
I'm an adult beginner taking classes and scouring youtube to fill in where I'm just not getting "it". This is the absolutely most helpful tip on bow holding that I have come across, thank you just what I needed. This changes everything.
I love when you find a video where someone finally explains it the way the makes sense to *you* the most! I haven't gotten to put this into action yet, but this is EXACTLY how I'm holding my hand (raised wrist, which makes me tense) Now I just need to figure out why the violin doesn't sound right when I put my finger on certain notes. I know I don't have the sticker on right but oh my lord... I need practice. 😅
Thank you.I will drop my wrist and knuckles these things take time. Right now Im using seatbelt on my ring finger and the tone is so much better. Now If i can put the two together it should be nirvana!
OMG I'm so happy that I found this video. You are my life saver! Been struggling with my bow hand and could never, never drop my fingers. Neither of the two teachers I've been having has spotted this mistake. Now, thanks to you, I totally see the difference and everything with that hand finally makes sense. Finally I feel the smoothness and the effortless of the bow hand. Thank you thank you ❤❤❤
Dear Ron Markel, just accept it. IT WILL TAKE TIME, BE PATIENT. ROLL YOUR EYES BACK OR UP FOR A FEW SECONDS, RELAX. IT WILL WORK FOR US. THESE THINGS JUST TAKE TIME!
This advice has already been very useful to me. I feel like it has improved my playing already. I actually got two things out of this. The main advice here, keeping the wrist and knuckles dropped down, was one of them; the other was that I somehow had not even realized that you should keep your middle two fingers basically together. I had been holding the bow with more space between those two fingers. So I basically put both of these changes into play at once. Maybe it was partly that I was just having a good day, but I feel like my bowing got smoother and more controlled right away, and all through my practicing this afternoon. Thank you for this!
I AM DEEPLY AND PROFOUNDLY GREATFUL, I COULD NOT SEE THE FOREST FOR THE TREES. I WILL NOW ENDEAVOUR TO DROP MY WRIST ANGLE AND KNUCKLE ANGLES, I KNOW I HAVE FORMED BAD HABBITS OVER THE YEARS OF NOT EVEN PLAYING. PLEASE REMIND ME AGAIN AS I WILL FORGET BUT AS OF THIS MOMENT I WILL RELLY WATCH MY WRIST ANGLE. THANKS AND LOOKING FORWARD TO MORE? BYE YOUR AN ANGEL!
Alot of beginners focus on notes and intonation and all that. That's important absolutely. It is the EXPRESSION of those notes and intonation that matters though and all of that comes from that bow hand. You don't club your family dog on the head...there's a certain sensuality to it. We PET our dogs, we caress are kids and spouses. Our hands are not bludgeons and when we grip a bow we must keep that in mind. We need to caress the strings and understand the 'gripiness' in the areas of bow. There is a time for CHOMP and a time for singing. It takes time to figure that out. GREAT VID! I need to replace an A string then I'll be playing along with ya!
Thank you that was perfect I’m a beginners beginner and that was great, your RUclipss are short so it’s not information overload but exactly what you need to know. Thanks Stu
Thank you for your videos. I’m an adult beginner & left hand dominant so bowing with my right arm is extra challenging. I appreciate your suggestions in this video!
There are so many videos on how to hold the bow, but this lady has opened my eyes. I keep getting told to squeeze with the fingers. I now realise that if I lower my wrist, the fingers automatically 'squeeze'.
Thank you for the presentation. I am a beginner working at becoming an intermediate player. Your video comes just in time as I have begun to dislike my bowing. I am paying more attention to my bow-arm and will work at using your suggestions. Thanks Again.
Thanks for this vid! I 100% agree with your lowered wrist assessment. However, I'm wondering why you wouldn't recommend a lowered elbow? (It seems like you could further lower tension issues this way.)
Excellent explanation on the awareness of this position. The problem is that I tilt the bow while playing, and usually I tend to do it often also to keep it from slipping, the wrist-hand configuration changes. How can I adjust?
IM WORKING ON THIS AFTER MY MORNING PIZZA. IM FOCUSSING ON WHAT SHE SAID. IF MY HUNCH IS RIGHT, I MAY NEVER AGAIN HIT TWO STRINGS AT ONCE UNLESS I INTEND TO DOUBLE STOP. I THINK SHES A GENIUS! BUT I HAVE TO DO THE FOOT WORK! ACTUALLY THE WRIST WORK! TEE HEE! I VE GOT A HUNCH SHES JUST SHOWED US SOMETHING.
I find it to be quite the opposite. Flattening out the knuckles can lead to a significant downfall of efficiency over time. It mostly leads to having the root of the 1st finger colapse, and as repertoire becomes more demanding, each player will eventually have to work on producing a richer sound, and in a position like that, the intuitive thing will be to pronate into the collapsed 1st finger, them additionally press from the shoulder, creating debilitating tension in the entire right arm. This is not a rule - to each his own. However, a bowstick laid slightly bellow the level of the elbow, forearm and wrist, with all the knuckles connecting to the bow in a soft curve as demonstrated, is anatomically frendlier and gives you far more power to comfortably and healthy counteract the weight of the arm. The bow hold you demonstrated as non optimal is unmistakably similar to many of the holds of some of the most amazing violinists of all time, in fact almost identical to that of Hilary Hahn.
When I don't have my teacher in front of me, I'm glad I can turn to someone with a problem I consistently have to work on and this girl gets it. I'm
I finally understood what my teacher was trying to explain to me 😊
Thank you. A 50++ newbie, I put all the weight via the high wrist and my violin sounds so scratchy. Your suggestions are truly helpful.
❤❤❤
IM ONLY CAPEABLE OF DIGESTING LITTLE BITS AT A TIME, YOUR SPOT ON THANK YOU.♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡
Adult learner, and I have been working on my bow hand for the last 7 months. Your suggestion to lower the wrist has been the key to figuring it out. It is a simple check that one can do visually as well as just feeling the hand, and it becomes virtually impossible to fall into the "bow grip of death" with a lowered wrist. The "push-ups" have also become a routine warmup for both hands. Thank you for your insight!
I agree. Holding the wrist that high up also create tension simply by the weight of the hand.
My professor, Dr. Call, explained this principle in terms of having the wrist following the motion of the bow. On a down bow, the wrist will help sink and settle the weight of the bow into the string. On an up bow, the wrist pulls up very slightly and their is a subtle rotation in the arm that also helps sink the weight into the string.
He explained it much more concisely, and so did you. 😅
Your professor is absolutely right! There are a lot of small movements involved in smooth bowing & transitions, but if you can get it right, they make all of the difference!
I'm an adult beginner taking classes and scouring youtube to fill in where I'm just not getting "it". This is the absolutely most helpful tip on bow holding that I have come across, thank you just what I needed. This changes everything.
Yes, that really made my playing feel so much more relaxed. The notes just started flying!
I love when you find a video where someone finally explains it the way the makes sense to *you* the most!
I haven't gotten to put this into action yet, but this is EXACTLY how I'm holding my hand (raised wrist, which makes me tense)
Now I just need to figure out why the violin doesn't sound right when I put my finger on certain notes. I know I don't have the sticker on right but oh my lord... I need practice. 😅
Thank you.I will drop my wrist and knuckles these things take time. Right now Im using seatbelt on my ring finger and the tone is so much better. Now If i can put the two together it should be nirvana!
OMG I'm so happy that I found this video. You are my life saver! Been struggling with my bow hand and could never, never drop my fingers. Neither of the two teachers I've been having has spotted this mistake. Now, thanks to you, I totally see the difference and everything with that hand finally makes sense. Finally I feel the smoothness and the effortless of the bow hand. Thank you thank you ❤❤❤
Wow!!!! Like really WOW! Why does this even work? It must be dark magic. I honestly can’t figure out why this works so well.
No dark magic here, just basic physics! 🙂
Dear Ron Markel, just accept it. IT WILL TAKE TIME, BE PATIENT. ROLL YOUR EYES BACK OR UP FOR A FEW SECONDS, RELAX. IT WILL WORK FOR US. THESE THINGS JUST TAKE TIME!
This advice has already been very useful to me. I feel like it has improved my playing already. I actually got two things out of this. The main advice here, keeping the wrist and knuckles dropped down, was one of them; the other was that I somehow had not even realized that you should keep your middle two fingers basically together. I had been holding the bow with more space between those two fingers. So I basically put both of these changes into play at once. Maybe it was partly that I was just having a good day, but I feel like my bowing got smoother and more controlled right away, and all through my practicing this afternoon. Thank you for this!
It’s amazing what an instant improvement this can result in! Glad you were able to put these things into practice, David. Keep up the great work. 🙂
I am playing around with finger positioning too as I feel it is important - going to have to pay attention to this too now though! ty ty
I AM DEEPLY AND PROFOUNDLY GREATFUL, I COULD NOT SEE THE FOREST FOR THE TREES. I WILL NOW ENDEAVOUR TO DROP MY WRIST ANGLE AND KNUCKLE ANGLES, I KNOW I HAVE FORMED BAD HABBITS OVER THE YEARS OF NOT EVEN PLAYING. PLEASE REMIND ME AGAIN AS I WILL FORGET BUT AS OF THIS MOMENT I WILL RELLY WATCH MY WRIST ANGLE. THANKS AND LOOKING FORWARD TO MORE? BYE YOUR AN ANGEL!
You are right many don't share this , I'm struggling to play now I know why . Thanks a ton ❤ God bless you for sharing
Clear, concise, simple instructions, to-the-point ... thank you!
Thanks so much for watching 🙏🎻
this is exactly my problem with bow holding. i am still working on it to fix. this is very helpful thanks
Alot of beginners focus on notes and intonation and all that. That's important absolutely. It is the EXPRESSION of those notes and intonation that matters though and all of that comes from that bow hand. You don't club your family dog on the head...there's a certain sensuality to it. We PET our dogs, we caress are kids and spouses. Our hands are not bludgeons and when we grip a bow we must keep that in mind. We need to caress the strings and understand the 'gripiness' in the areas of bow. There is a time for CHOMP and a time for singing. It takes time to figure that out.
GREAT VID! I need to replace an A string then I'll be playing along with ya!
Thank you that was perfect I’m a beginners beginner and that was great, your RUclipss are short so it’s not information overload but exactly what you need to know. Thanks Stu
Thanks for being here, Stu!
Great video!!🎉
Thank you for your videos. I’m an adult beginner & left hand dominant so bowing with my right arm is extra challenging. I appreciate your suggestions in this video!
You’re very welcome, Lucy! The bow arm is tough for everyone - you are not alone. Best of luck!!
There are so many videos on how to hold the bow, but this lady has opened my eyes. I keep getting told to squeeze with the fingers. I now realise that if I lower my wrist, the fingers automatically 'squeeze'.
Glad you found this helpful, Peter!
Thank you for the reminder.
Thank you for the presentation. I am a beginner working at becoming an intermediate player. Your video comes just in time as I have begun to dislike my bowing. I am paying more attention to my bow-arm and will work at using your suggestions. Thanks Again.
You’re so welcome, Chris! Best of luck to you! 🎻
Thank you very helpfull
This helped me a lot. Ty so much
brilliant
simple and straight forward
Oh Wow! Thank you!!!!
Never heard this before. It is really helpful. Thanks.
So glad! Good luck to you!
Thank you so much! 🎻
Great video!!
Just starting playing the violine again after 20 years break....:). now playing folk music ant not classical...not yet at least....
Thanks for this vid! I 100% agree with your lowered wrist assessment. However, I'm wondering why you wouldn't recommend a lowered elbow? (It seems like you could further lower tension issues this way.)
Great. What is the mske of violin you have. Further, should all hair touch a string or only a few?
Many thanks. Have you got any hacks or tips on getting bowing straight?
Thank you!
🙂🎻
Excellent explanation on the awareness of this position. The problem is that I tilt the bow while playing, and usually I tend to do it often also to keep it from slipping, the wrist-hand configuration changes. How can I adjust?
Thank you.
Thank you! 🙏
Good info thanks❤
Thank you for this.
You’re very welcome, Stanley!
In sessions, I've noted a strong correlation between a high right wrist and scratchy tone. Speaking personally, a flat wrist works much better.
IM WORKING ON THIS AFTER MY MORNING PIZZA. IM FOCUSSING ON WHAT SHE SAID. IF MY HUNCH IS RIGHT, I MAY NEVER AGAIN HIT TWO STRINGS AT ONCE UNLESS I INTEND TO DOUBLE STOP. I THINK SHES A GENIUS! BUT I HAVE TO DO THE FOOT WORK! ACTUALLY THE WRIST WORK! TEE HEE! I VE GOT A HUNCH SHES JUST SHOWED US SOMETHING.
Easy peasy! Now that Ive installed seatbelts, now all gotta be concerned about is dropping wrist and knuckles.😅😅
You dropped your shoulder elbow and over arm too.
Important for sound and tension
I love your accent
Thanks! Where are you from, Julian?
England. How’s it going ?
I find it to be quite the opposite. Flattening out the knuckles can lead to a significant downfall of efficiency over time. It mostly leads to having the root of the 1st finger colapse, and as repertoire becomes more demanding, each player will eventually have to work on producing a richer sound, and in a position like that, the intuitive thing will be to pronate into the collapsed 1st finger, them additionally press from the shoulder, creating debilitating tension in the entire right arm. This is not a rule - to each his own. However, a bowstick laid slightly bellow the level of the elbow, forearm and wrist, with all the knuckles connecting to the bow in a soft curve as demonstrated, is anatomically frendlier and gives you far more power to comfortably and healthy counteract the weight of the arm. The bow hold you demonstrated as non optimal is unmistakably similar to many of the holds of some of the most amazing violinists of all time, in fact almost identical to that of Hilary Hahn.
hmm you did this video already! :D
I have a few videos on this topic that cover different points. :) It’s always good to have reminders when it comes to technique!
my mom made me wathch this and i leared for 4 years :(
side note
ladies shave your arm hairs please!