HOW TO HOLD THE VIOLIN BOW
Learning to play the violin is a journey that requires patience, attention to detail, and a strong foundation in technique. Sadly, many beginners overlook the importance of mastering the basic principles of violin playing, not realizing that these building blocks are essential to achieving long-term success on the instrument.
One of the most challenging aspects of learning to play the violin is mastering the proper bow hold. While it may seem simple at first glance, it is, in fact, a complex and nuanced technique that requires dedicated practice and attention to detail. Proper bow hold is the foundation upon which all other violin techniques are built, making it an essential step in the learning process.
When we first begin our violin journey, we are often eager to progress quickly and play complex pieces right away. However, taking the time to focus on technique and building a strong foundation will ultimately pay off in the long run. Patience, attention to detail, and a willingness to take things slow and steady are all key qualities of successful musicians.
As we progress in our violin studies, it is important to remember that technique is a never-ending process. The bow hold and other techniques will continue to evolve and improve alongside our playing, making it crucial to remain focused and committed to the fundamentals. With dedication and a steadfast commitment to proper technique, we can achieve great results and fulfill our potential as violinists.
First, we are going to learn the posture without the bow.
1. Relax your right hand and place it facing you.
2. Keeping a relaxed posture, place the thumb slightly to the left of the middle finger, the last joint of the middle finger and the tip of the thumb meet,
CONTACT POINTS OF THE BOW WITH THE FINGERS
This are the places where the bow and the fingers touch each other, it is particularly important to pay attention to this.
Practice with a pen or pencil
Start by placing the pencil between your thumb and your middle finger, resting it on the side of your middle finger. The pencil should be held firmly enough to prevent it from slipping but not so tight that your hand feels tense.
Make sure to check the position of your thumb and pinky finger. Your thumb should be bent slightly, forming a C-shape, while your pinky finger should be relaxed and round touching the pencil with the tip of the finger.
- Always check the thumb and the pinky finger. They must be round and relaxed.
Practice with the bow
Here is a video of Itzhak perlman, one of the greatest violinists of our times explaining the bow hold.
There are three fundamental aspects to consider when learning to hold the bow:
1. BALANCE
When holding the bow, it’s crucial to distribute its weight evenly across all the fingers of the right hand. This helps to achieve a comfortable and relaxed grip, minimizing tension in the hand and wrist. However, it’s particularly important to focus on the middle finger and the thumb to ensure proper balance and control of the bow. The middle finger should rest on the stick of the bow, exerting just enough pressure to support its weight. Meanwhile, the thumb should be placed opposite the middle finger, forming a natural curve that allows for flexible movement and a secure grip. By maintaining a balanced and relaxed hold on the bow, the player can produce a smooth and consistent sound while avoiding hand fatigue and discomfort.
Exercise 1:
- Begin by placing your hand in the bow hold posture without the bow.
- Slowly move your thumb towards your pinky finger, and notice the tension that builds up at the base of your thumb.
- Slowly return to the proper posture and feel the tension release. The ideal position for the thumb is slightly to the left of the middle finger. If you place the thumb between the index and middle finger, the posture will be unbalanced, as there will be three fingers on one side of the thumb and only one on the other. The closer the pinky finger is to the thumb, the greater the tension, as you may have noticed when practising the exercise. Therefore, the goal is to find the exact point where you can maintain adequate balance while keeping a relaxed thumb.
Exercise 2:
The pinky finger also plays an important role in controlling the balance of the bow. Sometimes, the weight of the bow is supported by the pinky finger, making it important to make it strong.
- Hold the bow in the previously explained position.
- Turn your wrist clockwise, with the tip of the bow pointing to the right so that the hair is under the stick.
- Then, make the same movement towards the opposite direction.
Continue the movement while increasing the speed. Feel how the pinky finger supports the full weight of the bow. Keep it firm but round, and remember to relax your thumb.
2. FLEXIBILITY
When holding the bow, it’s important to strike a balance between a firm grip and a relaxed hand posture. The grip should be firm enough to maintain control over the bow, but not so tight that it causes tension or strain in the hand.
To achieve a natural and flexible posture, it’s important to pay attention to the points of contact between the hand and the bow. The thumb and the middle finger should be the primary points of contact, with the index and ring fingers resting lightly on the bow. The pinky finger should be curved and placed on top of the stick, providing support and balance.
One way to practice maintaining a flexible and natural posture is by doing finger exercises.
Exercise 1
Hold the bow with the tip facing up and draw a circle with the tip of the bow using only the movement of your fingers. Make sure to keep the bow hold firm but not too tight, and focus on moving the fingers independently while maintaining a good posture.
Exercise 2
Practice the same finger movements with the bow in the playing position, and then with the bow pointing to the right with the stick over the hair. These exercises will help you develop control and flexibility in your bow hold, allowing you to play with precision and expression.
3. RELAXATION
The fingers should always remain flexible in order to adjust to the needs of the music we play. Sometimes a firmer bow hold is necessary for certain bowings that require so, and some other times a lighter and softer bow hold is required. The important thing here is to master the ability of adjustment and flexibility maintaining wide mobility in the joints and fingers.
To achieve a flexible and adaptable bow hold, it’s essential to be mindful of the tension we hold in our hand and learn how to release it.
Here’s an improved version:
Exercise 1:
1. Hold the bow with your right hand while holding the stick in the upper half with your left hand to prevent dropping the bow or creating tension in your right hand.
2. Remove the middle and ring fingers from the bow hold.
3. Tilt the bow slightly to feel the weight of the bow resting on your index finger and how it is balanced by the thumb and pinky finger. These three fingers support and balance the bow, so there is no need to squeeze the ring and middle finger to hold the bow.
4. Return the fingers that were pulled back into place, and then remove them again.
5. Repeat this movement until you feel the tension released in the fingers.
Exercise 2:
1. Repeat step 1 of the previous exercise.
2. Remove your index and ring finger from the bow hold.
3. Tilt the bow slightly to feel the weight of the bow resting on the middle finger and balance it with the thumb and the pinky finger.
4. Return the fingers that were pulled back into place, and then remove them again.
5. Repeat this movement until you feel the tension released in the fingers.
Remember to keep your fingers flexible and adjust to the needs of the music you play. Sometimes a firmer bow hold is necessary, while other times a lighter and softer bow hold is required. It’s important to master the ability to adjust and be flexible while maintaining wide mobility in the joints and fingers. Be aware of the tension in your hand and learn how to release it.
- Exercises based on the book BASICS by Simon Fischer.
