Violin Forum/Message Board

Ode to Tragedy · Member Joined: 17 Feb 2011 Posts: 121

I had been playing at a 45 degree angle (i.e bow to strings) but it seems I was doing it the wrong way.

Why does everything with violin playing seem to be in the most awkward position Sad

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I noticed that on videos they have it so the bow's angle is facing outwards on the 45 rather than inwards the latter of which is what I presumed to be the more intuitive position so adopted without thinking about it much.

Why is it that it is played on this outward angle and is this mandatory or do some do it the other way?

Benedict White · Member Joined: 27 Jan 2011 Posts: 113

I tend to play with the bow flat on the strings....

Others vary.

Lemuel · Last edited by Lemuel on Sun Apr 10, 2011 8:52 pm; edited 2 times in total

There are very good reasons for this angle. If you look at the videos of great violinists closely, you'll see that the whole right hand is hanging from the wrist. That is there is a bend or pivot point at the right wrist. This allows the wrist to be pliable or flexible, to avoid tension, and especially when playing very fast pieces.

Secondly, the right elbow is lifted up to the point that there is a straight horizontal line between the elbow and the wrist.

Thirdly, with the right hand hanging loosely toward the ground, you'll notice the fingers curl more toward you. The fingers become somewhat of a cradle for the bow to rest in. The wooden part of the bow stick would naturally tilts away from you in this case.

Playing on one side of the bow hair instead of flat is better at the frog end to balance out the extra pressure that occurs when the hand is near the strings (ie. on an up bow). When pulling on a down bow, the bow is played more flat on the hair because there is much less pressure at the bow tip.

Hmmm...I'm really having a hard time explaining it. I guess I'll need to get a video clip of this one too.

Lemuel · Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2011 8:51 pm Post subject:

The key is that the right wrist must be VERY relaxed and pliable.

AntonPolezhayev · Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2011 12:22 pm Post subject:

Nothing wrong with flat bow. But often too much hair attacking the string all at once causes harsh and flat "rude" articulation, thus the tilt (away from you) when we're in lower half.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLDeYZXUDDQ

Ode to Tragedy · Member Joined: 17 Feb 2011 Posts: 121

Yes but why not tilt towards you? since when playing I've found that to be the more natural position to tilt it.

AntonPolezhayev · Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2011 12:53 pm Post subject:

Lemuel · Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2011 1:18 pm Post subject:

Anton, Thanks a million...I could not have said it any better.

Ode to Tragedy · Member Joined: 17 Feb 2011 Posts: 121

ok, thanks for the clarification- ill have to force myself to get used to it Sad

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AntonPolezhayev · Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2011 2:54 pm Post subject:

Ode to Tragedy · Member Joined: 17 Feb 2011 Posts: 121

Useful, thanks.

Lemuel · Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2011 5:15 pm Post subject:

Anton,

Speaking of bowing, I need help on a specific technique.

Here's the new thread.

http://www.violins.ca/forums/viewtopic.php?p=9372#9372

Benedict White · Member Joined: 27 Jan 2011 Posts: 113

Just to clarify, whilst I adopt a different approach to how flat the bow is, I think we all agree that the bow hand must be utterly relaxed and the bow hold should not be a hold, but a cradle, almost like you were cradling a rare butterfly...

gavin_rossdale · Junior Member Joined: 24 Feb 2012 Posts: 14

nice thread.. i thought at first that any angle of the bow will do.. depends upon the players comfort.. I think i really should have some violin lessons..