Violin Lesson #3, Holding the Bow (bow hold) pt. 3

[jalthenotsomusician]

hi prof..my problem is, i can't bend my thumb the way you explained..are there any chances that i can change it? i just bought my violin today. :}

[k1myhss]

i cant keep my pinky on top..it keep slide off or it will bend..can u help me with that problem professorV?

ps:sorry bout my bad eng.ur vids are great.really helpfull

[DarkVoidification]

Hi Todd,

I've been playing the violin for four years now and I just realized that my bowhold was wrong all along. Before, my thumb never touched the middle finger or the ring finger. So now I'm trying to change it to the way you described it but my thumb keeps slipping through the little notch. Do you have any ideas as to why its slipping? My hands get really sweaty when I play the violin so is it because of that?

[professorV]

Hi DarkVoidification, Try to make your thumb very curved, contacting the bow between the grip and the frog. Aim for the inner corner of the thumb's tip (you'll need to trim your fingernail). If the thumb has a steep enough angle (curve) it should not slip. The bow will be sitting between the thumb and the middle finger, so the two won't actually make contact with each other. I hope that makes sense... Good luck!

[artedellemuse]

I also know how to play the piano, read music and all. Is it possible to learn only with books and your vids?

[artedellemuse]

Hi, I just wanna ask. Is it possible to learn the violin on my own without a teacher? I don't have enough budget. :( But I want to learn badly. It's just that I'm afraid that I'll learn the wrong way and when time comes, my bad habits cannot be changed. :(

[jalthenotsomusician]

@artedellemuse me too.. but i already bought today.. :| i'm gonna depend on the net first.. i'll see if i can afford lessons.

[letmakhu]

Professor V is it normal to have sticky fingers after practicing? and I'm still having a bad time tuning my violin.

[Lestat1794]

@letmakhu

heey! im not the professor but i do have the same problem here. i think its because of the resin (or the thing that you applicate to the bow) when the resin get wet it becomes sticky!

[letmakhu]

@Lestat1794 Thanks :)

[eddieis100]

thank you very much i use you vids to learn and im in long long...you are a blessing

thank you for shering your talents whith others

[koruken]

hi sir! I've been having a major problem since I started playing the violin. it's been four years since i started. i wasn't able to practice during the 2nd and 3rd that's why i play bad. My right hand seems to make my bow shake like it's bouncing on the string and i can't shift the weight right. :(

it seems like i can't solve this problem at all no matter how much I practice lately.

[foxgirl26]

I would like to learn to Fiddle. I am aware that it is the same instrument but is learning to play the same basic foundations?

[gongjgongj]

Hi Todd,

I'm just beginning violin and I don't seem to be able to hold the bow the way you explained it. The only main problem I have is making the ring finger and the middle finger go alongside each other. They always have a big gap between them. Is that okay, or should I attempt to change it?

[professorV]

Hi gongjgongj, I have had a few students that were unable to keep the middle and ring fingers together, due to the added tension this created. In this situation, I always modify the bow hold so the student can stay relaxed. The other contact points can remain about the same. Good luck!

[TejasM14]

@professorV, I play the violin the Indian classical way. So bow hold is adapted differently. I played the violin for 8 years now, and press my thumb down while bowing. And my pinky doesn't curve the way you show it, but rather sits along side the ring finger. What are the benefits of sort of pinch it with your thumb like that and placing the pinky? Do you suggest I try and change my technique. Looking forward to replies from anyone.

[dane525]

thank you very much professorV for sharing your talent to thousands of people who are willing to learn how to play violin :) god bless!

[haruhiniwa]

do the middle finger and thumb touch while holding the bow?

[Cam3210]

Hi Todd, I'm a classical guitarist so I have long nails on my right hand. I find this creates a problem with my grip, my long thumb nail forces it to a different angle, which creates tension and makes my thumb sore after a while. Is there anything i can do to avoid this without cutting off my precious nails?

Thanks, Cam

[osnapppify]

I have somewhat of a specific question for you.

I can't exactly see how far over your thumb is going to the end of the bow. Should I put it in the crevice where the hair ends? or should it be right underneath the hair? It seems like the way I'm holding it, no matter what I do, my thumb keeps hitting the hair and i'm pretty sure it's not supposed to do that.

[professorV]

Hi osnapppify, it's okay if your thumb contacts the hair, in fact in the early stages of learning, it can help. A curved thumb will touch, or come very close to the hair. As you become more advance, the thumb will not not always remain there, but that comes later. Good luck!

[JamesPlattes]

Mr. Ehle,

Thank you for posting these videos!

I have posted a website which I hope will be helpful to prospective Suzuki parents. It's designed to give a quick overview of the basic premises of the Suzuki Violin Method and philosophy. The site compares and contrasts traditional violin lessons with Suzuki violin lessons. It's a five minute read, and I hope it can serve a useful purpose. It's for parents and teachers. It's at suzukichilddotcom

Thank you again for these videos!

[hgc31141]

a bit different from what i was taught but still very practical and sensible. I will try that serioulsy and compare which way is better to hold a bow.

[youngsalt79]

I bought my first violin today, and am really happy to have found your on-line lessons. Loooove the exercises, especially 'itsy bitsy spider'. I can't believe how quickly you can do it; definitely something to aspire to!

[jazzymay377]

I bought my violin two days ago, and I had no idea how to hold the bow. I looked at different videos and contemplated spending t$30+ for online violin tutorials. The tutorials gave a lot of information but your videos are a lot easier to understand.  I tried your "bunny" method, and it worked really well! I don't really feel any awkwardness holding it. Thank you so much. You are a splendid teacher!

P.S.Would it be necessary to get a gripmaster to strengthen my fingers?

[javadblue10]

Hi Todd! I don't know how to thank you anymore! extremely useful! Great !

[leonay]

Ughh. This is very frustrating .

[stcroixmusic]

Hi Todd, we are going to feature you in our August, 2010 issue of St. Croix Music Magazine. You are a great teacher! - JJ Rocks

[professorV]

It will be an honor, JJ. Thanks so much.

Todd.

[Bugafly]

I started playing the violin 6 months ago. I feel I am having trouble allowing the relaxed extension and flexion of my fingers with the up and down movement of the bow. When I keep my fingers relaxed and allow them to flow with the bow movement I find my middle and ring fingers shift to the fingertips while I'm playing, which is not the bow hold she taught me, nor the one you demonstrate. Any idea where I'm going wrong? I am getting a bit frustrated. Thanks so much for the informative videos.

[okwoode]

thankyou for your humility and time, these videos are seriously helpful.

[Brenglezote]

thanks this must be very helpful,how about,the strength of the bow how much strength does the bow need

[bowholdbuddies]

Wonderful !

In my studio, students learn the bow hold very quickly using the Bow Hold Buddies[tm] bow accessory. The accessory keeps the hand relaxed and fingers in place while we learn more music.

Thanks!

[Hondengans]

Love your lessons, always wanted to play violin, now I bought one and your lessons are a great start, thanks!

[theamazingcatherine]

Thank you very much for these bowholding lessons - they helped me enormously.

[artistfood]

Thank for this great tutorial. I think its one of the best out there. Question. Im planning on buying my first violin and notice that theres a 4/4 1/16 and a 4/4 1/32. I know the 4/4 is full size since I am an adult which would be the right size but I dont understand the other measurements. Thanks again :)

[nosoypez]

the other measurments are for childs, cuz they are smaller violins, if u are an adult buy a full size 4/4 :)

[Piromanu2009]

Thanks very much!!!

[nicowolfangs]

GOSH ! I have to unlearn 10 months of violin playing ! now back to bowing... i hope it will be just some sort of review and correcting...

= (

[miguelnevoeiro]

Thanks very much !

[jujumatt]

Thanks very much Prof. Appreciate you taking the time for that.

Matt

[jujumatt]

Dear Prof, First let me say thanks for putting the lessons up, really appreciate the time put in. I have only recently found and started to explore them. Secondly, a more specific question, I have been attempting to copy your bowing technique. In my version the little finger (pinky) seems to take the brunt of the weight and a little sore spot develops after a period of practise. Does this suggest correct placement and balance or not? Don't worry if too busy. Thanks again.

[professorV]

Hi jujumatt,

It's not addressed in these first bow-hold videos, but the pinkie is the 'lifting' finger. Once the bow is on the string the pinkie can totally relax. In other words; you will let the violin hold the weight of the bow (unless you are lifting the bow off the string).

I cover this information in a following video. Good luck.

[15youtubian15]

my pinkie keeps sliding off, and im gettiing frustrated, I can hardly move the bow, while holding it like that.

[emilyy1207]

thank u very much..! :]

[indimercado]

master could you post some tips how to do slides on violin

[indimercado]

yehey Im almost Bowing straight now thanks master!!!!!!!!

the contact point thing really help me..!!!!!!!!

[Rowein]

Thank you very much, this video was very useful to me. The bow holding is so much complicated for me, but your video make me some things clear.

Thank you!

[figgypro]

Your instructional videos are awesome! My six year old son has been psyched to start violin lessons, but he is in kindergarten, and his school doesn't offer lessons till first grade. I took Suzuki violin lessons as a child for 5 years, but have forgotten some of the intricacies of proper posture etc. with violin and bow. This is a great review, and I will have my son watch as well so he can have some exposure before formal classes begin. You are great and a pleasure to watch.

[YasashiiMerodii]

I love your videos. I am currently learning to play the violin, but my mother hasnt gotten around to getting me a teacher, so you're like a life saver. Thank you!!!

[sopapopihue]

gracias por tomarte el tiempo de publicar estos videos

[scsunshine20]

I will start to learn playing viola , is it the same posture as violin?

[rexlee23]

wow.. i learnt something new =) thank professorV! =)

[landei00]

i like youre videos!!!!!!!!!

[Kaaawa2000]

Thanks for posting this!

I appreciate the detail.

[IIxLiNxII]

em, my fingers are quite thin and long so when i try to move my fingers it doesnt get the position like in the video, any suggest ? couldn't we just hold the bow with any position ? doesnt the purpose to hold the bow so it doesnt move ? or is there any reason ? sorry for my bad english

[telsona]

Hi Todd,

Thanks for taking the time to do these lessons - I find them very helpful. 5 star!

[Aabh]

I just bought my first violin and have no idea what to do... I live in a foreign country and I'm not sure I could understand a teacher at this point (In 6 months I'll return to the US, then I can get a teacher), but I didn't want to learn bad posture while I practiced now, your videos are immensely helpful! Thank you.

[remixinglife]

Thank you Todd!

[Castukki]

Wow!!! Thank you very much!!!

I'm really interested in learning to play violin, and I guess your suggestions will be really helpful!!!

THANKS AGAIN!!

[intuisi234]

thanks

[huisclos123]

The way I learned the "itsy bitsy spider," you hold the bow horizontally, and you try to crawl up the bow without letting either end move. This forces you to pay careful attention to the distribution of weight in your hand. Hmmm...

[HeartsSpade]

What should someone that's left handed do? =x

[crawfordviolin]

You can get a left handed violin, but it is not recommended, as you will only be able to play on a very limited number of fiddles

[colmelchitt]

Hmm...when my bow travels down, my wrist flexes downwards and stays that way coming back up, tilting the bow toward me. The only way I've found to fix my wrist is to move the pad of my thumb more to the inside, and arch my fingers on top. But this causes my thumb to straighten somewhat. Is that okay?

[iluminada333]

hi, i can't do the spider down thing; i cant go down :( any suggestions?

[AlembicWelkin]

QUESTION: When I was 5, and learning the violin, my teacher wouldn't even let me start playing till I got my bow hand correct. I now have a son who 5 and his teacher just dives right into playing the violin without stressing proper bow hand or violin holding. Shouldn't good form be taught from the very beginning instead of correcting it later?

[crawfordviolin]

Yes.

[fayewolfie]

Thanks for these wonderful videos!! I'm severely double jointed, my thum is never curved, its either straight or bends backward, any tips? thanks!

[professorV]

Hi fayewollfie, pull the stick closer to your palm and make sure your PINKY is very curved (and on top of the stick). This should force your thumb to curve. Good luck.

[fayewolfie]

Actually, curving the pinky is alot harder than curving my thumb!!It will lock up if i try to curl it. Any suggestions?

[professorV]

Think of an arch. It's an incredibly strong structure that allowed stone churches and castles to have windows! If you arch your pinky enough, it will not fail. Remember to let the violin hold the weight of the bow when the pinky is on the string. You should only feel tension in the pinky when you lift the bow off the string!

[deadpool2099]

Nice. Now show me how to play the "Medetation of Thebes" ; )

[spamebola]

This guy is one of those rare individuals who knows his stuff so well he can actually articulate and explain things in a simple way that is understandable to the lay person. Great stuff!

[mygirlfanatic]

no professor, thank YOU!!!

yeey!

[violaknit]

I am having trouble with my first finger, third knuckle (i.e. one nearest the wrist) collapsing. Any ideas what I can do to rectify this please?

[professorV]

Hi, Try moving the first finger "deeper" into the stick (meaning the contact point will be a little closer to the second knuckle). While doing this, really wrap the finger around the stick. See if that helps!

[violaknit]

Thank you, that does help with the knuckle but then my thumb tends to straighten. I will practice!

[bluescat04]

Might someone translate to the Spanish?, please.

[verthius]

I feel like the whole bow weight is on my pinky!

[verthius]

Hey Mr.V, I have a problem maintaining my pinky on the bow. It keep slipping off. And when I placed my bow horizontally, I felt pressure on my pinky. Is it normal?

[professorV]

Try holding it vertically instead of horizontally and see if that takes the weight off. Then, when you place the bow on the violin you can relax the pinky completely and let the violin hold the weight of the bow. The pinky is most needed when lifting the bow, but can be totally relaxed while the bow is on the string.

[seahinchey]

what a genuine and almost charitable thing to be doing. you have a true compassion for music and for people.

[guilobcast]

briliant work!!! thank you for shearing this

[professorV]

Hi guilobcast, you are welcome. Thanks for the nice comment!

[tubenone]

thanks a lot!!!

[professorV]

You bet!