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

Visit www.toddehle.com - Part three in the series on the bow hold.

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• violin
• bow
• hand
• hold
• grip
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• Suzuki
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[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!

[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!

[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!

[telsona]

Hi Todd,

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

[jujumatt]

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

Matt

[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.

[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

[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. :(

[letmakhu]

@Lestat1794 Thanks :)

[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!