Violin Forum/Message Board

[Verdi]

Hi, I'm new. Why am I bouncing? My bow arm is very relaxed. When I use the whole bow it bounces. I don't have the bow too tight either...any suggestions? Thank you.

[Becky]

this may sound weird, but sometimes your bow bounce because you are not pushing UP with your thumb enough...as I said, it sounds weird and like it's not the right solution, but sometimes it helps. Try pushing up with your (bowing) thumb and your other fingers may compensate and acheive the right pressure to keep the bow on the strings.

Another thing that may help is to understand the difference between playing ON the string vs. playing IN the string...does that make sense? Playing on the string is more like you're gliding over the top (light pressure, which could lead to bouncing). Playing into the string is what it sounds like...not in the press hard into the string and get a wretched scratching sound, but press into the string (and you may need to change the speed to get a good sound), really play into it and get a full smooth sound. Pick the farthest ceiling corner in the room you're in and try to make your sound reach all the way there with the same full sound you hear under your ear. The pressure needed to do that could be enough to keep the bow from bouncing.

Does the bow bounce all the time, or only in certain spots (like the frog)? Are you using a full bow or partial bow? Are there any times it doesn't bounce?

[Verdi]

Hi Becky, thank you so much, that advice was awesome. It only bounces in the middle of using whole bow.

Your advice sounds like it will work, I will try it tonight. Thank you!

[Becky]

how did it work?
It sounds like you can play in the middle of the bow using a partial bow and it doesn't bounce, is that right? What would happen if you play using just the middle and work on gradually increasing to a full bow (only increase after successfully not bouncing with the current bow amount)?

[Verdi]

Hi Becky, the thumb thing worked! Unbelievable, I am so excited. It's like a little magic trick. I pushed up with my thumb and most of the bounce went away. And I love the visual about playing into the string. You're awesome! Thanks.

[Jack Rushing]

Becky, It helped with my bounce too. I just have a little bounce every
once and a while, especially after drinking a lot of coffee, I just think
about pressing the thumb up a little, and it does the trick.

[Shirley]

Becky, by gum - while playing some short "solo" parts today, my durn bow bounced. I was surprised, and I don't want it to happen again, and since I'm on my way to practice right now, I'm going to give your thumb trick a try, and try to rmember it the next time I guess I get a bit nervous. It sure worked for Verdi and Jack. Thank you for the suggestion! Shirley

[Becky]

glad the thumb trick is helping you all! ...although Jack, less caffeine would probably do more to lessen the bounce

[Shirley]

Becky - I'm back again to report, and the thumb trick works like a charm. My teacher, though hard for her to create the boundcing bow effect, finally did and concurred - she guessed that what she did to control it was, indeed, to press a bit harder with her thumb. It is difficult for long-time players to dissect just what they are doing, and so I thank you, and have told all my bouncing-bow friends your "trick."

But then, what less could one expect from a UNICYCLE rider, of all things???

Thanks again! Shirley

[Barry1963]

While reading through old posts (Im a newbie, trying to catch up ) I found this tip. Thank you Becky for fixing my bounce as well.