I was lucky: I bought a violin that was in pieces that came with a bow at an antique shop for $100. The violin was junk... The bow was a W. E. Hill from the 1800's in excellent condition!
Thanks Alison, I thought about that later after I posted you. I watched that video of a master bowmaker and the second violinist would try a passage and then hand the bow back to the maker, he would do some sanding and the violinist would try again and this happen a few times. I realized that only someone that had years of skill and technique would know the difference and appreciate it. Thank you for replying.:) my first smiley face.
You are amazing, as you said, it is difficult to notice the difference, but there is a lot of difference. I'd like to imagine how it would be feeling the sound in that room.
Hmm...I havnt had the pleasure on playing on either of these im afraid, but on researching them, they both seem pretty good and fine for a beginner. Its all down the personal taste and the ideal thing to do would be to get them both, try them out and return the one you didnt fancy. One may have a higher screechy tone...the other a lower deeper tone...one may prefer higher end notes, the other lower....and so on, so really its important to try before you buy if poss. They both seem good tho....
I bought a new bow about seven years ago when I was attempting to pick up the violin again (I ended up not playing much then, being in collage and all!) but I started playing again this year I fell in love with the bow I had bought (it was the only one I could afford at the time) and it was just beginning to get "broken in" nicely but a few weeks in to playing again I discovered it was breaking at the tip. I was heartbroken! I will definitely be using these tips when I go hunting for a new bow again (I bought this bow because the frog was broken on the old one, I hope the third bow will be the charm!) Thanks so much for the advice!
Really enjoyed this video. Specially because you stress personal preference and reliance on gut feeling. Balance, texture, tone and "this is my bow" feeling are things that are not things a beginner can appreciate fully and develop over time. If it feels right, it probably is, is sound advice. For absolute beginners might get a mechanically sound bow and move on to something else once they feel it does not suit; replace instead of a rehair. The better it works, the more fun you will have.
Hi, I’m a folky mandolinist from Surrey learning ‘’fiddle’’. Do you think there is a type of bow more suited to diddly-diddly folk music. I know it’s not your specialty but you do know what your talking about and I’m finding you videos very helpful in learning the fundamentals. Thanks.
Hi Alison, I wanted to say a big thank you for this video. I used it when making a choice between six bows sent to me by a retailer. In the end I bought a bow at the top of my budget but it's brilliant and I enjoy playing my violin so much more now! Now my daughter (who is 11, we have been learning together for a year) has tried it and wants one as well that's just as good. I'm going to get her a carbon fibre one as it's more likely to survive! Thanks, Penny (Tackling grade 3 in June!)
I hear a lot of people talking about bow weight and tending to look for lighter weight bows. I had started with a student level bow (came with my student violin), and after a year of playing upgraded to something more intermediate (this bow ranges from $50 to$65 online depending on where you find it). It's not TOP quality, but it's a step up. I noticed it was a lot smoother than my first bow, but it had some weight to it. Checking out side by side my first bow feels lighter but is front heavy (like in the first bow you talked about here) where when you hold it at the front it wants to dip. The new one that I got, despite the weight, it's a lot more balanced, like that weight is more towards the frog. It also has a much more 'sturdier' feel to it. Only thing I don't like about the new one is that because of the weight, it tends to rotate in my hand sometimes. Both of them are brazilwood. I know balance is certainly key, but at what point is the weight of a bow personal choice of the player and do different weights benefit or hinder certain styles? I'm leaning more towards Irish fiddle (dabbling in bluegrass a bit), and I've gotten to like the added weight to my bow. Now when I play with my old one it feels too light and I scratch more. I have a student level Carlo Robelli, and of all the CR I've played, they all seem to have a dry, sandy sound to them, so anything to avoid the scratch is preferable.
Probably a copyright issue with what she originally played; I've filmed performances from school plays with kids singing to music playing in the background, and RUclips has complained that someone claimed copyright on my video.
Hea :) let me start by saying thank you so much for your hard work that went into making this and ALL of your videos . I just wanted to comment and say , in the beginning of the video you say that these thoughts and opinions are yours and everyone is different . Yes , that it totally true because we weren't all made from the same cookie cutter . BUT ,,, your thoughts and opinions hold weight ,,, A LOT of weight . You're the professional , you've been doing this for how many years , you've seen generally what works and what doesn't , so when you say something it tends to be true and that's what I and A LOT of others have come to listen to . I truly do Thank You . you've helped me more than you can possibly realize . I'm just now starting to attempt to to learn but my big hands and arms aren't making things all that easy . I'm thankful that you stress the basics and getting them set to memory . if anything ever goes wrong , you can always reset and go back to the fundamentals and restart from there :) Thanks , , ,
Thank you. Its a shame i have to 'disclaim' videos like these, but the internet is a vicious place and people often take things too seriously and then start having a go at me for something which was my personal opinion!
@theonlinepianotutor if you are a total beginner, should you go to a violin teacher with no violin in hand and just use theirs so by the time you do go to buy your own you know a few songs to play on it? Or should you just buy a starter kit (bow, violin, resin, case). Because in this video, you say to learn a few songs you're comfortable with before buying a bow and in your 1st violin tutorial video you say you can't follow the tutorials without a bow & violin.
I think they have their place - they tend to be lighter and great for particular types of pieces and playing scenarios, but Im not keen and do not own one as I feel I can get more out of a really nice wooden bow. I dont think they are that adaptable for all occasions and certainly not great for a lot of classical pieces. This is just my opinion anyway....
no, well yes and no, you should choose what is right for you and my 'medium' will be different to your 'meduim'. So yes, medium (for me anyway) if that makes sense? Im sure others out there will disagree, but what i like you might hate and vise verse. You will know when you have found the right bow as it will perform perfectly in whatever piece or technique you are trying to do. Think of goldie locks and the 3 bears..... :)
Well, I apreciate the help, since I wrote this coment I've gotten two bows for the price of one. I looked online for them. They work grate. I forget how much I spent on them but I know that I got them on sale. I still have my other acustic bow, however I use it as a spare now. I don't think Griffin Georgia has any lutheairs here. I put one bow in my electric violin case and the other on his acustic counterpart.
Dear Alison, I just wanted to know your personal opinion or preference about 2 violins i saw and wanted to buy: I found a "Karl Schneider" and a "Steinhoff" and i was wondering which one should i buy and use as a beginner. They are both equal in price and are worth 125$. Thanks in advance.
Well I've been playing since I was 13. I got my first violin at age 8. Since no one wanted to teach me, because I can't see I had a lot of time lost between 8 and 13. I'm 34 now and since then I've had plenty other violins. The only problem is that this is the first time I've thought about replacing the bow of a violin that I've played. My electric bow is heavier than my acustic one and I like for the electric one. I think a heavy one for my acustic may be good since I have lighter hands. But then agin my light bow is loosing it's hair. What to do? Hum Thought.
What do you think of "baroque" style bows? I think they are beautiful and would love to own one, but I'm afraid they are just a "fashion statement". If you were only going to buy one bow, would the baroque be as good an investment as a conventional bow.
I don't think I have to worry about that when I'm a beginner, do I? Since I can't really tell the difference in sound or weight. But what if I oder a Violin online and the bow comes bent? Should I just look for the cheapest I can find, or are there some other ways for beginners?
+TheOtaconGuy I wouldnt worry about the bow for now as you need to develop some skill and technique first. If you do buy now based on your current knowledge of violin playing (as a beginner I assume) then what works and functions nicely now will most likely be horrendous to handle in 3-6 months which is why its best to wait. You will just know when the time is right.
I am a musician, but I don't play violin (yet). I've visited a luthier specialized in cellos, violas and violins though. I'm looking to purchase both a bow and a violin. How should I go about it? Should I rent it first? Or just purchase something that is recommended to me and go back and trade once I hit the ground running and can play a little? Cheers!
Buying or renting is totally up to you and both have their pros and cons. I wouldnt like to say which is better as it depends on your financial situation and what you want out of all this.
Thanks for responding. I've purchased all my instruments at this point so I would prefer purchasing it. My issue lies more in the fact that I don't play yet and haven't developed a taste in sound and feel. My end goal with violin or any instrument is to expand my musical horizon. If it matters, I will play solo and on recordings. Cheers!
I got the mendini mv300 violin from eBay and found the bow to be terrible. I have a older half size bow that i had from a second hand half size violin that i like. Its a vintage glasser bow. Im wanting to know if you know how to get a 4/4 vintage glasser bow and if they're a good bow since it is a composite of some kind. I can send a picture for your advice if you like. Thanks
I am half way in Suzuki book 4 as an adult learner and my current CF bow (ebay 29$ very light 58 gram) sound and play the same as 1000$ bow from the local violin. I can tell the weight and balance difference but is that worth the extra money? Problem is need to rehair my 29$ bow soon and it will cost $89 Canadian so not sure about that... So hard need help...
I bought the stentor 2 a week ago. The stock bow is really nice but it is my first violin set from Gear From Music so I have nothing to compare to. An upgrade down the line would probably be a good idea generally as with anything. The best thing is to be able to compare it to others, maybe go to a music shop that have sample bows?
Hello, soon it is going to be my fifteenth birthday and 9th year since I started playing the violin and my mom wants to buy me a new bow. I have two separate bows that I use often but they have worn off over time. I compete every week in Solo competitions and usually play pieces by Mozart, Vivaldi, Bach, and more. I currently am in five orchestras including high school orchestra, and take three private lessons. I have not bought a new bow since 2011, and feel like it is time for a new bow. I currently use a CodaBow Diamond NX Carbon Fiber which is quite old actually. Which bow do you recommend? I need a bow that has a good sound, and is easy to hold when doing a lot of 16th notes and a lot of shifting over 5th position. Thank you!
Bows are a minefield with literally hundreds and hundreds of brands - I would just suggest you go to a good violin luthier, give them your budget then play away and choose. I can reel off half a dozen names that may or not be available in your country or even in your budget, or even what you like as bows are even worse to pick out than violins and i NEVER recommend bows. I like a bow which is light, but heavy but not too light, but it has the feel light and heavy at the right balance at the heel and at the tip, with some weight in the middle.....do you see what im saying? Its so unique to the person I just cant suggest anything. It really is like Harry Potter choosing his wand....IT chooses him... lol Go and try some out.
Thanks for the reply, it gives me a starting point. Ill start to look for strings first. If the sound is still harsh I'll look into a new bow or re-hair.
I ordered a violin which is coming with a case and the bow. There wasn't any info about the wieght itself, or how it is balanced. Set should arrive in few days. I never held a violin before. But I want to learn it. Also as a total beginner I'm not sure what to expect about the quality. Set itself was about 350 euros. Ordered from Thomann. Which I think has quite good reputation, so I hope it's good. But then again, I don't know how the quality and pricing goes together really. I think the violin alone was about 220 euros or something.
thank you so much for clarifying that up for me :D. I'm just doing as much research on everything violin before I go into the shop this week. Feel i might be too old but I saw your video about that. Figured I'd learn to play now since it has been on my bucket list since I was a kid and there's no time like the present, right? thanks for all the online youtube tutorials as well!
Hi Alison, I recently decided to take up violin again after a break of a good few years (I haven't played it really since school and that was around 15 years ago) the Violin hasn't been restrung since. The Pegs slip and it won't hold tune ( on the d string, the E was completely slack). It was never a particularly fabulous violin to begin with though I remember the tone being OK back in the day (around £70 in around 1995) and I'm wondering if you think it just needs a restring and some TLC, or just straight up replacing. I have an electric now anyway, but would like an acoustic too as I do prefer them really ( I'm just awful at the moment and would prefer to keep it to myself- at least for now.) Any help would be grand- looking for a teacher too if you're in Yorkshire by any chance.
+ArdiraLightsworn Without seeing it for myself I have no idea as it could be anything. It would be up to you whether you took it to someone to repair or just buy a new one. Im afraid I live nowhere near Yorkshire or know anyone there either. Sorry.
+The Online Piano and Violin Tutor. Thanks for your reply- I'll try giving it a new set of (cheapish) strings and trade it in if it doesn't work towards a new one. I have a couple more child violins lying about too so should be able to get a decent-ish one if I trade them in together. As for the teacher thing, it was a stab in the dark as you don't sound northern! I'll continue watching your stuff on here for now(- you already fixed my brand new bow problems.) Keep up the fabulous work and again, thanks for your reply.
I have another question about bows. Currently I'm looking to upgrade to a wood bow from my CF one (which hasn't done me wrong, but my violin is very bright and I hope to tame that). I never realized what different *styles* of bows there is. Mostly I've used standard (modern?) bows, but apparently there are Baroque bows as well that are lighter with interesting tips. What's the difference in playing between these, and what would you recommend for a beginner?
This likely sounds really weird but since my bow broke I have been playing some with a cheap bow (and have not been very happy, dead spots and all) but I have also been using the bow for my cello and LOVING the sound! I like a deep, rich tone, in general. I am guessing the rich sound might be from the heavier bow? Or is it more likely it sounds better (to me!) because it is a better quality bow generally? I know bows are even more personal than violins and it's really hard to advise on them; I am just wondering if I should stick to a cello bow or is it likely a good quality violin bow would give me a nice sound? Also, the cello bow is carbon fiber and the bow I am not too pleased with is wood, would that likely be the difference? As you can tell I don't know too much about the mechanics of instruments, I just play them!! (I play mostly hymns so not too much fast bowing or staccato) I appreciate all you do for us newbies! Thanks P.S. I believe in "crowd sourcing" so readers please feel free to chime in with your thoughts!
Naomi Cole All i can say to this, is dont use anything other than a violin bow with a violin. I also dont know what violin you have or what the bow is like and without trying it all myself I honestly couldnt say. The bow depends on a number of factors and even my bow on your violin might be rubbish - it all depends on the violin itself in combination with the bow. I dont have an answer im afraid.
My bow is two years old. It is Candenza CF. When I play with the mute on my violin I can hear the hair scratch across the strings. Should that be happening or should I have my bow re-haired. I was also thinking of upgrading my strings they are around 18 months old. I have Dominants on a Eastman 315. Not sure what to do first? Re-hair/New bow or New Strings. My open A can have a real bad wine at the worst possible time. Any help would be welcome. Thanks
+Jeffrey S Without really know whats going on, its hard for me to help and advise you, but after 18months of the same strings, its possible that they are dead anyway. As for your bow, I dont really know as i cant see/hear you play.
+Jeffrey S Without really know whats going on, its hard for me to help and advise you, but after 18months of the same strings, its possible that they are dead anyway. As for your bow, I dont really know as i cant see/hear you play.
Should a beginning player switch to a better (say, about midrange or higher quality) bow or just stick with the inexpensive one (standard music shop 30 dollar type, maybe the same as your "20-quid" type) they've started out with?
Capn Clawhammer As a beginner I would worry less about the bow and more about the basics. I wouldnt change the bow until you 'know' you need to and your technique is really really good and advanced.
following my earlier comment about the hair on the bow.... Doesn't the condition of the hair have an important effect? A new cheapo straight out of the box may sound rough because it 'hasn't been played in' ? An old bow may sound mellow because it has had a lot of use and the hair may be wearing out ? ?? O have I got it all wrong. Maybe there could be jobs for violinists in 'running in' brand new bows??????
Hi,i would like to ask,i haven't touch my violin in about 2 years until recently and it seems that there's some brown spots growing on my bow?is that bad?does it mean i have to get a new bow?i really need some advice.
I have a question, how am i supposed to pick the right bow, if there are no music stores anywhere close to where i live, so the only way i can get them are from amazon 😥 Im 13 years old so i can drive anywhere or do anything, please help alison.
well, yes really as you get what you pay for. I would say though, that in MY opinion, you dont need to pay absurd amounts of moola for a bow as there becomes a limit as to what a bow can do (my opinion) and sometimes a very very expensive bow can be wasted on someone who cannot command enough from a very expensive bow. I always say 'buy the best that you can afford for your needs'.....
however....it comes mostly down to money and how much you have to spend. Usually, one has the right amount of money to spend on a suitable quality of bow for what is needed at the time if that makes sense.
What do you think of the debate of Carbon Fibre vs wood? I've got a CF bow and am really curious what kind of sound in comparison a wood bow would give me.
+ladyeclectic im not a fan of CF as i think they are flimsy, weak and unable to control advanced violin techniques. This is of course MY PERSONAL opinion and im sure others would agree/disagree....
This video is aimed at people who want to buy a better bow and upgrade from the bow they already have which came with their student quality violin outfit. You should go to a teach with a violin already as a) i doubt any violin teacher would lend theirs out (i would not as its far too expensive if there was a little accident say) and b) you will have nothing to practise on.
Yes i believe so, but this is a question im going to ask my violin repairing friend who has his own workshop and has been making and repairing for many many years, as to be honest, this is a little out of my jurisdiction as a player and teacher.....video coming soon....
Hi, I was wondering if you have any experience / know-how with baroque bows? I've been told using them requires different techniques than the modern bow, but also provides you with a different sound. I'm contemplating buying one since many of the pieces I love are from the baroque period so playing them with a baroque bow should give them a nice flair.
My response is pretty much of that in the video. You need to go to a specialist and try and see what you like and dont. Even if you still have no idea whether its going to be good or not, buying a bow for say £500 for example IS going to be decent no matter what.
well i think that there becomes a stopping price where the cost is far more than the bow is actually worth - like designer watches and bags really! You may pay 10k for a Rolex but you are not getting 10k worth of watch that is actually any better than a 2k watch for example. Also, it took me years of practice to be able to appreciate what a good bow can do because if you dont have the bow skills yet, a more expensive bow will do nothing.
I just got a violin and it came with a really cheap bow. is it ok to learn the first 2-3 months on a crap bow? and how bad is it that full tightened the bow strings touch the wood with not much pressure at all
The bow stick of my bow vibrates. Is it normal? I'm not putting in too much pressure or too little. Idky it vibrates as i play and it's pretty bothersome. It came with my beginner violin.
instead of buying a complete new bow... what about if i just change the hairs. i understand that the type of music one plays is important in picking the right hairs from different regions of the world. what do you think?
Yes you can, but if the bow is worthless, then its not worth it. Its like putting the engine of a Porsche into a Kia or Fiat etc. I would just buy a new bow.
Hmm.. Maybe I should get a new bow because my current bow is on the heavy side for me...when I play fast notes sometimes it just feels like my bow is only brushing against the string and not actually gripping it and making a full sound. Does anyone have a bow recommendation?
Yes, a lot of bows are either too heavy or too light. You need to try out a bunch and see. Bows are dam near impossible to recommend because what I think is perfect, you might say is too light or heavy and vice verser. It also depends on your style which will be unique to you so again, you can’t take bow recommendations as you have to try them.
Annabelle C $500 upwards for anything decent. I realise thats a lot of money, but bows less than that are average at best and wont respond well to advanced technique. They will only be 'better' than the cheaper bows. You have 3 types of bow: 1. Cheap - does what it says on the tin - $10 to $350 2. Average bows; better than the cheaper ones of course and will be better all round - $350 to $900 3. Advanced bows; will do what you tell them too and glide like silk over the strings. You dont have to do anything except run the bow along the strings and they practically play themselves - $900 upwards. All this is my opinion of course...
hmm, not quite as simple as that as you are likely to buy something that a) will not suite you personally and b) will not be of fantastic quality and c) there is much much more to a bow than it being just a 'stick' as you put it lol. Also not convinced about the strings, however having said that, gut with sliver wound is as you describe and very good, but only on the lower strings...
Hi! I'm a man and I don't know how to play violin at all. I do play folk guitar (chords mainly). I have an electric violin and I want to buy a bow just to have fun maybe for half an hour per month. Obviously, I don't need anything fancy but I'd like to be able to change the haring (I don't know if we can do that on all bow) when necessary. Is there anything like weight, dimensions, or so I should look for, like a "all sized fit all" for man? I will buy the bow and a hair replacement on Ebay.ca.
Bows are impossible to recommend as they really are unique for each person, what you like, i will hate and what i think is light you might think is heavy. If you just want a cheap one to mess about with, just get a cheap one. If you are far more advanced than that, then you will want to test out some better ones.
yes iam. I find them to be less responsive and not well weighted. They are no good for my classical stuff and i just cant warrant or justify buying one just for the sake as for me, they do nothing and in fact hinder my technical abilities whem im trying to do different bow movements. My opinion of course...
Totally depends on what your violin is like and what you want to get from it. I released 2 videos on this a few months ago with lots of string information.
Months before they go dead, tinny and flat. Its why i tried them, but would never buy them again im afraid. Thats just me and my violin if course and so it might vary for others.
Itr is quite easy to hear th total dif with each bow, interestingly. What would be helpful is beforew you use one bow, please speak on it's qualities, price, etc, and THEN play, so that we can make dicernments between sound and aspects of a bow. As it is, it is not apparent whatsoever, what is making the sound this or that quality, and due to this, we have no information as to how to choose a bow, but only which of yours we like, but no understabnding of why or what about it we should seek for our own delight in a bow.
i have no idea sorry. Im the wrong person to ask as i only teach the violin - i dont know much about making or repairing them or about materials etc. Sorry A violin luthier would know.
I really couldnt say as i have never played on that before. Im not a fan of CF bows anyway so im biased. I would rather take my pick of several really nice and well balanced wood bows personally. Im sure someone will disagree with me and say the CF's are as good as wood, but i personally prefer wood.... You need to go and test the, out yourself before you make a decision - I would NEVER buy anything at a gr 8 level off the internet.
You have synthetic which is cheap and rubbish, then real horse hair then blue mongolian horse hair. I have blue mongolian horse hair. Its basically horse hair which is separated and sifter out strand by strand from the other hair to make sure its of the finest quality.
Nice video here. I like the soundtrack music at 11:44 by the way. It reminds me of old furniture adverts haha! On a serious note though, if you look after your bow well, how long would it last for please? Thank you.
My internet is slow because im away at the moment so i cant watch it all without waiting about half an hour for it to buffer - what time in the video did i play it?
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At 11:45 or so, how did she make the violin sound like that????
Skill
sealand000 didn’t you know? That’s how all deacent violinists sound like!
but can we talk about how the bowing was almost in sync with the guitar??
I was lucky: I bought a violin that was in pieces that came with a bow at an antique shop for $100. The violin was junk... The bow was a W. E. Hill from the 1800's in excellent condition!
Your sitting on a goldmine.those start 8000 dollars
I'm sure any bow bought on diagon alley will be of good quality -- just remember that the bow will pick you.
Lol, I revisit an old video and is instantly reminded of how happy I am you changed intro xD.
But the rest of the video is very helpful!
Thanks Alison, I thought about that later after I posted you. I watched that video of a master bowmaker and the second violinist would try a passage and then hand the bow back to the maker, he would do some sanding and the violinist would try again and this happen a few times. I realized that only someone that had years of skill and technique would know the difference and appreciate it. Thank you for replying.:) my first smiley face.
I am a level 5 violinist, and my bow is $25. Thank you this really helped me!
You are amazing, as you said, it is difficult to notice the difference, but there is a lot of difference. I'd like to imagine how it would be feeling the sound in that room.
Thank you for your opinion, I think it's important to listen to those with more knowledge. You can't advance when your taking the wrong path.
Hmm...I havnt had the pleasure on playing on either of these im afraid, but on researching them, they both seem pretty good and fine for a beginner. Its all down the personal taste and the ideal thing to do would be to get them both, try them out and return the one you didnt fancy. One may have a higher screechy tone...the other a lower deeper tone...one may prefer higher end notes, the other lower....and so on, so really its important to try before you buy if poss. They both seem good tho....
Should I buy more than one bow for different music?
I bought a new bow about seven years ago when I was attempting to pick up the violin again (I ended up not playing much then, being in collage and all!) but I started playing again this year I fell in love with the bow I had bought (it was the only one I could afford at the time) and it was just beginning to get "broken in" nicely but a few weeks in to playing again I discovered it was breaking at the tip. I was heartbroken! I will definitely be using these tips when I go hunting for a new bow again (I bought this bow because the frog was broken on the old one, I hope the third bow will be the charm!) Thanks so much for the advice!
Really enjoyed this video. Specially because you stress personal preference and reliance on gut feeling. Balance, texture, tone and "this is my bow" feeling are things that are not things a beginner can appreciate fully and develop over time. If it feels right, it probably is, is sound advice. For absolute beginners might get a mechanically sound bow and move on to something else once they feel it does not suit; replace instead of a rehair.
The better it works, the more fun you will have.
Hi, I’m a folky mandolinist from Surrey learning ‘’fiddle’’. Do you think there is a type of bow more suited to diddly-diddly folk music. I know it’s not your specialty but you do know what your talking about and I’m finding you videos very helpful in learning the fundamentals. Thanks.
Hi Alison,
I wanted to say a big thank you for this video. I used it when making a choice between six bows sent to me by a retailer. In the end I bought a bow at the top of my budget but it's brilliant and I enjoy playing my violin so much more now!
Now my daughter (who is 11, we have been learning together for a year) has tried it and wants one as well that's just as good. I'm going to get her a carbon fibre one as it's more likely to survive!
Thanks,
Penny
(Tackling grade 3 in June!)
You have so much variety in your wardrobe! So cool
Love my bow!!! 1980 bow by Mettal. Very nice weight and sound
+Mark Chen please could you help me buying a vilion please ...
@@sandeepuniyal6164 did you ever get a violin ?
I hear a lot of people talking about bow weight and tending to look for lighter weight bows. I had started with a student level bow (came with my student violin), and after a year of playing upgraded to something more intermediate (this bow ranges from $50 to$65 online depending on where you find it). It's not TOP quality, but it's a step up. I noticed it was a lot smoother than my first bow, but it had some weight to it. Checking out side by side my first bow feels lighter but is front heavy (like in the first bow you talked about here) where when you hold it at the front it wants to dip. The new one that I got, despite the weight, it's a lot more balanced, like that weight is more towards the frog. It also has a much more 'sturdier' feel to it. Only thing I don't like about the new one is that because of the weight, it tends to rotate in my hand sometimes. Both of them are brazilwood.
I know balance is certainly key, but at what point is the weight of a bow personal choice of the player and do different weights benefit or hinder certain styles?
I'm leaning more towards Irish fiddle (dabbling in bluegrass a bit), and I've gotten to like the added weight to my bow. Now when I play with my old one it feels too light and I scratch more. I have a student level Carlo Robelli, and of all the CR I've played, they all seem to have a dry, sandy sound to them, so anything to avoid the scratch is preferable.
Also, I'd have much preferred listening to you as opposed to the "lounge" music.
Probably a copyright issue with what she originally played; I've filmed performances from school plays with kids singing to music playing in the background, and RUclips has complained that someone claimed copyright on my video.
best violin channel on youtube. Im a guitarist currently learning the violin.
Thank you
Hea :) let me start by saying thank you so much for your hard work that went into making this and ALL of your videos . I just wanted to comment and say , in the beginning of the video you say that these thoughts and opinions are yours and everyone is different . Yes , that it totally true because we weren't all made from the same cookie cutter . BUT ,,, your thoughts and opinions hold weight ,,, A LOT of weight . You're the professional , you've been doing this for how many years , you've seen generally what works and what doesn't , so when you say something it tends to be true and that's what I and A LOT of others have come to listen to . I truly do Thank You . you've helped me more than you can possibly realize . I'm just now starting to attempt to to learn but my big hands and arms aren't making things all that easy . I'm thankful that you stress the basics and getting them set to memory . if anything ever goes wrong , you can always reset and go back to the fundamentals and restart from there :) Thanks , , ,
Thank you.
Its a shame i have to 'disclaim' videos like these, but the internet is a vicious place and people often take things too seriously and then start having a go at me for something which was my personal opinion!
@theonlinepianotutor
if you are a total beginner, should you go to a violin teacher with no violin in hand and just use theirs so by the time you do go to buy your own you know a few songs to play on it? Or should you just buy a starter kit (bow, violin, resin, case). Because in this video, you say to learn a few songs you're comfortable with before buying a bow and in your 1st violin tutorial video you say you can't follow the tutorials without a bow & violin.
I think they have their place - they tend to be lighter and great for particular types of pieces and playing scenarios, but Im not keen and do not own one as I feel I can get more out of a really nice wooden bow.
I dont think they are that adaptable for all occasions and certainly not great for a lot of classical pieces. This is just my opinion anyway....
no, well yes and no, you should choose what is right for you and my 'medium' will be different to your 'meduim'. So yes, medium (for me anyway) if that makes sense?
Im sure others out there will disagree, but what i like you might hate and vise verse.
You will know when you have found the right bow as it will perform perfectly in whatever piece or technique you are trying to do. Think of goldie locks and the 3 bears..... :)
Maybe the brand of rosin could be mentioned also?
Well, I apreciate the help, since I wrote this coment I've gotten two bows for the price of one. I looked online for them. They work grate. I forget how much I spent on them but I know that I got them on sale. I still have my other acustic bow, however I use it as a spare now. I don't think Griffin Georgia has any lutheairs here. I put one bow in my electric violin case and the other on his acustic counterpart.
Dear Alison,
I just wanted to know your personal opinion or preference about 2 violins i saw and wanted to buy:
I found a "Karl Schneider" and a "Steinhoff" and i was wondering which one should i buy and use as a beginner. They are both equal in price and are worth 125$.
Thanks in advance.
Well I've been playing since I was 13. I got my first violin at age 8. Since no one wanted to teach me, because I can't see I had a lot of time lost between 8 and 13. I'm 34 now and since then I've had plenty other violins. The only problem is that this is the first time I've thought about replacing the bow of a violin that I've played. My electric bow is heavier than my acustic one and I like for the electric one. I think a heavy one for my acustic may be good since I have lighter hands. But then agin my light bow is loosing it's hair. What to do? Hum Thought.
even your adds are awesome and i watch them
already done! i just need to edit it and upload it!. coming very soon.....
What do you think of "baroque" style bows? I think they are beautiful and would love to own one, but I'm afraid they are just a "fashion statement". If you were only going to buy one bow, would the baroque be as good an investment as a conventional bow.
Baroque bows are what they say they are. You wouldn't use a baroque bow unless you are playing baroque style music.
I heard the difference and wow!! so I will be looking into a new and better bow. also new strings.
thank you for helping me out so much
I don't think I have to worry about that when I'm a beginner, do I? Since I can't really tell the difference in sound or weight.
But what if I oder a Violin online and the bow comes bent? Should I just look for the cheapest I can find, or are there some other ways for beginners?
+TheOtaconGuy I wouldnt worry about the bow for now as you need to develop some skill and technique first. If you do buy now based on your current knowledge of violin playing (as a beginner I assume) then what works and functions nicely now will most likely be horrendous to handle in 3-6 months which is why its best to wait. You will just know when the time is right.
ok, thanks
I am a musician, but I don't play violin (yet). I've visited a luthier specialized in cellos, violas and violins though. I'm looking to purchase both a bow and a violin. How should I go about it? Should I rent it first? Or just purchase something that is recommended to me and go back and trade once I hit the ground running and can play a little? Cheers!
Buying or renting is totally up to you and both have their pros and cons. I wouldnt like to say which is better as it depends on your financial situation and what you want out of all this.
Thanks for responding. I've purchased all my instruments at this point so I would prefer purchasing it. My issue lies more in the fact that I don't play yet and haven't developed a taste in sound and feel. My end goal with violin or any instrument is to expand my musical horizon. If it matters, I will play solo and on recordings. Cheers!
I got the mendini mv300 violin from eBay and found the bow to be terrible. I have a older half size bow that i had from a second hand half size violin that i like. Its a vintage glasser bow. Im wanting to know if you know how to get a 4/4 vintage glasser bow and if they're a good bow since it is a composite of some kind. I can send a picture for your advice if you like. Thanks
I am half way in Suzuki book 4 as an adult learner and my current CF bow (ebay 29$ very light 58 gram) sound and play the same as 1000$ bow from the local violin. I can tell the weight and balance difference but is that worth the extra money? Problem is need to rehair my 29$ bow soon and it will cost $89 Canadian so not sure about that... So hard need help...
yes and one that works well of course
I am planning on starting with a Stentor ll is the bow that it comes with ok our should I get a better bow?
I bought the stentor 2 a week ago. The stock bow is really nice but it is my first violin set from Gear From Music so I have nothing to compare to. An upgrade down the line would probably be a good idea generally as with anything. The best thing is to be able to compare it to others, maybe go to a music shop that have sample bows?
how long did it take you to see some real free flexibility in your fingers ?
I just love your violin training videos. Amour
Hello, soon it is going to be my fifteenth birthday and 9th year since I started playing the violin and my mom wants to buy me a new bow. I have two separate bows that I use often but they have worn off over time. I compete every week in Solo competitions and usually play pieces by Mozart, Vivaldi, Bach, and more. I currently am in five orchestras including high school orchestra, and take three private lessons. I have not bought a new bow since 2011, and feel like it is time for a new bow. I currently use a CodaBow Diamond NX Carbon Fiber which is quite old actually. Which bow do you recommend? I need a bow that has a good sound, and is easy to hold when doing a lot of 16th notes and a lot of shifting over 5th position. Thank you!
Bows are a minefield with literally hundreds and hundreds of brands - I would just suggest you go to a good violin luthier, give them your budget then play away and choose. I can reel off half a dozen names that may or not be available in your country or even in your budget, or even what you like as bows are even worse to pick out than violins and i NEVER recommend bows. I like a bow which is light, but heavy but not too light, but it has the feel light and heavy at the right balance at the heel and at the tip, with some weight in the middle.....do you see what im saying? Its so unique to the person I just cant suggest anything. It really is like Harry Potter choosing his wand....IT chooses him... lol Go and try some out.
The Online Piano and Violin Tutor
Thanks!
Thanks for the reply, it gives me a starting point. Ill start to look for strings first. If the sound is still harsh I'll look into a new bow or re-hair.
I ordered a violin which is coming with a case and the bow. There wasn't any info about the wieght itself, or how it is balanced. Set should arrive in few days. I never held a violin before. But I want to learn it. Also as a total beginner I'm not sure what to expect about the quality. Set itself was about 350 euros. Ordered from Thomann. Which I think has quite good reputation, so I hope it's good. But then again, I don't know how the quality and pricing goes together really. I think the violin alone was about 220 euros or something.
This may be a bit off topic, but I was wondering what your general impression of carbon fibre bows? Do you think that they can be any good?
thank you so much for clarifying that up for me :D. I'm just doing as much research on everything violin before I go into the shop this week. Feel i might be too old but I saw your video about that. Figured I'd learn to play now since it has been on my bucket list since I was a kid and there's no time like the present, right? thanks for all the online youtube tutorials as well!
yes! massive difference in just a bow!
Hi Alison,
I recently decided to take up violin again after a break of a good few years (I haven't played it really since school and that was around 15 years ago) the Violin hasn't been restrung since. The Pegs slip and it won't hold tune ( on the d string, the E was completely slack). It was never a particularly fabulous violin to begin with though I remember the tone being OK back in the day (around £70 in around 1995) and I'm wondering if you think it just needs a restring and some TLC, or just straight up replacing. I have an electric now anyway, but would like an acoustic too as I do prefer them really ( I'm just awful at the moment and would prefer to keep it to myself- at least for now.)
Any help would be grand- looking for a teacher too if you're in Yorkshire by any chance.
+ArdiraLightsworn Without seeing it for myself I have no idea as it could be anything. It would be up to you whether you took it to someone to repair or just buy a new one. Im afraid I live nowhere near Yorkshire or know anyone there either. Sorry.
+The Online Piano and Violin Tutor. Thanks for your reply- I'll try giving it a new set of (cheapish) strings and trade it in if it doesn't work towards a new one. I have a couple more child violins lying about too so should be able to get a decent-ish one if I trade them in together. As for the teacher thing, it was a stab in the dark as you don't sound northern! I'll continue watching your stuff on here for now(- you already fixed my brand new bow problems.)
Keep up the fabulous work and again, thanks for your reply.
Thank you. I thought the last bow sounded the least pleasant. Very beautiful playing though.
Hi Alice. I wonder if a violin bow made in snake wood is any good?? Thanks for sharing.
//Jose.
Honeslty, I dont know whether those as a standard would be good or not.
I have another question about bows. Currently I'm looking to upgrade to a wood bow from my CF one (which hasn't done me wrong, but my violin is very bright and I hope to tame that). I never realized what different *styles* of bows there is. Mostly I've used standard (modern?) bows, but apparently there are Baroque bows as well that are lighter with interesting tips. What's the difference in playing between these, and what would you recommend for a beginner?
This likely sounds really weird but since my bow broke I have been playing some with a cheap bow (and have not been very happy, dead spots and all) but I have also been using the bow for my cello and LOVING the sound! I like a deep, rich tone, in general. I am guessing the rich sound might be from the heavier bow? Or is it more likely it sounds better (to me!) because it is a better quality bow generally? I know bows are even more personal than violins and it's really hard to advise on them; I am just wondering if I should stick to a cello bow or is it likely a good quality violin bow would give me a nice sound?
Also, the cello bow is carbon fiber and the bow I am not too pleased with is wood, would that likely be the difference? As you can tell I don't know too much about the mechanics of instruments, I just play them!! (I play mostly hymns so not too much fast bowing or staccato) I appreciate all you do for us newbies! Thanks
P.S. I believe in "crowd sourcing" so readers please feel free to chime in with your thoughts!
Naomi Cole All i can say to this, is dont use anything other than a violin bow with a violin. I also dont know what violin you have or what the bow is like and without trying it all myself I honestly couldnt say. The bow depends on a number of factors and even my bow on your violin might be rubbish - it all depends on the violin itself in combination with the bow. I dont have an answer im afraid.
My bow is two years old. It is Candenza CF. When I play with the mute on my violin I can hear the hair scratch across the strings. Should that be happening or should I have my bow re-haired. I was also thinking of upgrading my strings they are around 18 months old. I have Dominants on a Eastman 315. Not sure what to do first? Re-hair/New bow or New Strings. My open A can have a real bad wine at the worst possible time. Any help would be welcome. Thanks
+Jeffrey S Without really know whats going on, its hard for me to help and advise you, but after 18months of the same strings, its possible that they are dead anyway. As for your bow, I dont really know as i cant see/hear you play.
+Jeffrey S Without really know whats going on, its hard for me to help and advise you, but after 18months of the same strings, its possible that they are dead anyway. As for your bow, I dont really know as i cant see/hear you play.
Should a beginning player switch to a better (say, about midrange or higher quality) bow or just stick with the inexpensive one (standard music shop 30 dollar type, maybe the same as your "20-quid" type) they've started out with?
Capn Clawhammer As a beginner I would worry less about the bow and more about the basics. I wouldnt change the bow until you 'know' you need to and your technique is really really good and advanced.
The Online Piano and Violin Tutor That's pretty much what I was thinking. Thanks!
The Online Piano and Violin Tutor what if my screw stripped
following my earlier comment about the hair on the bow.... Doesn't the condition of the hair have an important effect? A new cheapo straight out of the box may sound rough because it 'hasn't been played in' ? An old bow may sound mellow because it has had a lot of use and the hair may be wearing out ? ?? O have I got it all wrong. Maybe there could be jobs for violinists in 'running in' brand new bows??????
It depends more on the quality of the wood and the hair - not how much its been played.
Hi,i would like to ask,i haven't touch my violin in about 2 years until recently and it seems that there's some brown spots growing on my bow?is that bad?does it mean i have to get a new bow?i really need some advice.
im unsure but some bowhair has different colored horse hair especially if its unbleached. but if you purchased it like that i wouldn't worry
I have a question, how am i supposed to pick the right bow, if there are no music stores anywhere close to where i live, so the only way i can get them are from amazon 😥 Im 13 years old so i can drive anywhere or do anything, please help alison.
I'll come on read between the lines she obviously meant she can't drive anywhere and she was asking for your help
well, yes really as you get what you pay for. I would say though, that in MY opinion, you dont need to pay absurd amounts of moola for a bow as there becomes a limit as to what a bow can do (my opinion) and sometimes a very very expensive bow can be wasted on someone who cannot command enough from a very expensive bow. I always say 'buy the best that you can afford for your needs'.....
I love the Coda Bow
however....it comes mostly down to money and how much you have to spend. Usually, one has the right amount of money to spend on a suitable quality of bow for what is needed at the time if that makes sense.
What do you think of the debate of Carbon Fibre vs wood? I've got a CF bow and am really curious what kind of sound in comparison a wood bow would give me.
+ladyeclectic im not a fan of CF as i think they are flimsy, weak and unable to control advanced violin techniques. This is of course MY PERSONAL opinion and im sure others would agree/disagree....
This video is aimed at people who want to buy a better bow and upgrade from the bow they already have which came with their student quality violin outfit. You should go to a teach with a violin already as a) i doubt any violin teacher would lend theirs out (i would not as its far too expensive if there was a little accident say) and b) you will have nothing to practise on.
Yes i believe so, but this is a question im going to ask my violin repairing friend who has his own workshop and has been making and repairing for many many years, as to be honest, this is a little out of my jurisdiction as a player and teacher.....video coming soon....
I upgraded my violin. When should I upgrade my bow? How do I know when to upgrade?
You can upgrade your bow at any time really, but when you start learning harder and more advanced bow techniques is probably a good idea.
Hi, I was wondering if you have any experience / know-how with baroque bows? I've been told using them requires different techniques than the modern bow, but also provides you with a different sound. I'm contemplating buying one since many of the pieces I love are from the baroque period so playing them with a baroque bow should give them a nice flair.
divinitum1 I dont play baroque music so I dont own one im afraid.
The Online Piano and Violin Tutor
Thank you regardless :)
divinitum1 Hey, coincident! I was just talking about that above. I found these and I loooove them:
www.barockbogen.de/index.php/en/bow-making/violin
I currently just passed grade 5 but i want a bow that will be good enough to last me for up to grade 8 and im not sure which bow will do the job well.
My response is pretty much of that in the video. You need to go to a specialist and try and see what you like and dont.
Even if you still have no idea whether its going to be good or not, buying a bow for say £500 for example IS going to be decent no matter what.
You are just AMAZING!
well i think that there becomes a stopping price where the cost is far more than the bow is actually worth - like designer watches and bags really! You may pay 10k for a Rolex but you are not getting 10k worth of watch that is actually any better than a 2k watch for example. Also, it took me years of practice to be able to appreciate what a good bow can do because if you dont have the bow skills yet, a more expensive bow will do nothing.
Thanks for the Video very good Video
I just got a violin and it came with a really cheap bow. is it ok to learn the first 2-3 months on a crap bow? and how bad is it that full tightened the bow strings touch the wood with not much pressure at all
The bow stick of my bow vibrates. Is it normal? I'm not putting in too much pressure or too little. Idky it vibrates as i play and it's pretty bothersome. It came with my beginner violin.
Could be you, and a mixture of the violin and it being new. Usually bow bounce disappears on its own.
@@TheOnlineViolinTutor Yes it might have been me. I think I held the bow too tight.
instead of buying a complete new bow... what about if i just change the hairs. i understand that the type of music one plays is important in picking the right hairs from different regions of the world. what do you think?
Yes you can, but if the bow is worthless, then its not worth it. Its like putting the engine of a Porsche into a Kia or Fiat etc. I would just buy a new bow.
Hmm.. Maybe I should get a new bow because my current bow is on the heavy side for me...when I play fast notes sometimes it just feels like my bow is only brushing against the string and not actually gripping it and making a full sound. Does anyone have a bow recommendation?
Yes, a lot of bows are either too heavy or too light. You need to try out a bunch and see. Bows are dam near impossible to recommend because what I think is perfect, you might say is too light or heavy and vice verser. It also depends on your style which will be unique to you so again, you can’t take bow recommendations as you have to try them.
The Online Piano and Violin Tutor ok... I see! thanks for the reply
Could hear the difference loud and clear!
In your opinion, what is the starting cost for a good quality bow?
Annabelle C $500 upwards for anything decent. I realise thats a lot of money, but bows less than that are average at best and wont respond well to advanced technique. They will only be 'better' than the cheaper bows.
You have 3 types of bow:
1. Cheap - does what it says on the tin - $10 to $350
2. Average bows; better than the cheaper ones of course and will be better all round - $350 to $900
3. Advanced bows; will do what you tell them too and glide like silk over the strings. You dont have to do anything except run the bow along the strings and they practically play themselves - $900 upwards.
All this is my opinion of course...
I was wondering if there was any bows that can be ordered off of a site like Amazon? I'm not near a shop that carries violin bows.
Sarah Beaudrie Go and find one. It’s worth it
hmm, not quite as simple as that as you are likely to buy something that a) will not suite you personally and b) will not be of fantastic quality and c) there is much much more to a bow than it being just a 'stick' as you put it lol.
Also not convinced about the strings, however having said that, gut with sliver wound is as you describe and very good, but only on the lower strings...
Hi! I'm a man and I don't know how to play violin at all. I do play folk guitar (chords mainly). I have an electric violin and I want to buy a bow just to have fun maybe for half an hour per month. Obviously, I don't need anything fancy but I'd like to be able to change the haring (I don't know if we can do that on all bow) when necessary. Is there anything like weight, dimensions, or so I should look for, like a "all sized fit all" for man? I will buy the bow and a hair replacement on Ebay.ca.
Bows are impossible to recommend as they really are unique for each person, what you like, i will hate and what i think is light you might think is heavy. If you just want a cheap one to mess about with, just get a cheap one. If you are far more advanced than that, then you will want to test out some better ones.
Thanks.
Hi. What do you think about carbon fiber's bows?
***** Im not keen on them. I like to play a lot of technically difficult classical pieces and in MY opinion, they just dont cut the mustard.
What do you think about a bow made by Garrick Ollivander? I'm thinking about getting one made of holly with a phoenix feather core.
Me personally enjoyed the sound of the second bow that you played on the Secret Garden piece. What bow was that one please?
I dont know as this video is very old.
Would you please be willing to make a video on the violin with which notes go past the pinky on on string
Alison, what is the name of the piece you played here?
yes iam. I find them to be less responsive and not well weighted. They are no good for my classical stuff and i just cant warrant or justify buying one just for the sake as for me, they do nothing and in fact hinder my technical abilities whem im trying to do different bow movements. My opinion of course...
What strings and rasin are recommended for beginners?
Totally depends on what your violin is like and what you want to get from it. I released 2 videos on this a few months ago with lots of string information.
How long do evah pirazzis last you. I'm thinking about using one for my e string
Months before they go dead, tinny and flat. Its why i tried them, but would never buy them again im afraid.
Thats just me and my violin if course and so it might vary for others.
im not a fan for many reasons. for professional use for e personally, they dont respond well. my opinion. of course.
do you know about how much it cost to have a bow rehaired I found a great antique bow at a yard sale but it needs to be rehaired
Well i do where I live and country also, but it will depend on where you live as it will differ massively. Contact someone where you are.
Itr is quite easy to hear th total dif with each bow, interestingly. What would be helpful is beforew you use one bow, please speak on it's qualities, price, etc, and THEN play, so that we can make dicernments between sound and aspects of a bow. As it is, it is not apparent whatsoever, what is making the sound this or that quality, and due to this, we have no information as to how to choose a bow, but only which of yours we like, but no understabnding of why or what about it we should seek for our own delight in a bow.
i have no idea sorry. Im the wrong person to ask as i only teach the violin - i dont know much about making or repairing them or about materials etc. Sorry A violin luthier would know.
Is mongolian horsetail bow good?
What if we cant play high on the finger board?
A cheap bow will not be great at responding to you or the bow techniques themselves and and expensive one will and more.
Will a Col Legno standard carbon fiber bow be good for up to grade 8?
I really couldnt say as i have never played on that before. Im not a fan of CF bows anyway so im biased.
I would rather take my pick of several really nice and well balanced wood bows personally.
Im sure someone will disagree with me and say the CF's are as good as wood, but i personally prefer wood.... You need to go and test the, out yourself before you make a decision - I would NEVER buy anything at a gr 8 level off the internet.
i want to change my bow but i don't know what to search for in the hair material. can you please tell me what material of hair to search for??
You have synthetic which is cheap and rubbish, then real horse hair then blue mongolian horse hair. I have blue mongolian horse hair. Its basically horse hair which is separated and sifter out strand by strand from the other hair to make sure its of the finest quality.
thanks so much!!
Welcome :)
Nice video here. I like the soundtrack music at 11:44 by the way. It reminds me of old furniture adverts haha! On a serious note though, if you look after your bow well, how long would it last for please?
Thank you.
I don't care for violin but I'm looking for a bow for my guitar ... u heard me correctly I'm bringing the 70s back to life.
I have a question, I am not a beginner nor am I a professional, what violin would you recommend for me to buy?
If you look under any violin video you will see recommendations and links.
Should you be bringing your instrument as well when trying bows?
Gina Vong yes - or you will have no way of trying them out.
The Online Piano and Violin Tutor thanks!
You have problem with the sound on the song you played along with? Can't hear the violin? What waS THE SONG?
My internet is slow because im away at the moment so i cant watch it all without waiting about half an hour for it to buffer - what time in the video did i play it?
I guess choosing a Bow is like Choosing the right wand in harry potter :) you just know its right when you feel its right
the wand chooses the wizard mr potter
Are carbon fiber bows good?