10 Reasons Your Violin Bow is Bouncing & How to Fix It!

[@Peaceful93754]

15 years ago whem i played I did not have as much bow bouncing and sliding. I haven't played since then and recently returned. (I did not have these issues as a 12 year old and i wonder why now -- though i did have excellent teachers then). Thank you for your thorough discussion of these issues and their solutions!

[@bluegrassbecky1018]

I find your explanations really clear and helpful. Keep up the excellent teaching! And thank you.

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

Thank you so much!

[@johnhipp604]

​you have pretty brown eyes

[@rockinghorse13]

This is by far the clearest explanation I can find online on shaky bow problems. Thank you so much for this vid, it's very helpful!

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

Thank you so much!

[@alicec.6195]

This video really helped me. It was a matter of pressure. Coming back after many years away from my violin 😊 thanks

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

Glad it helped! Pressure can cause so many unwanted issues!

[@colletter9900]

Excellent explanations…it explains all the problems I’m experiencing. I’ve only been playing for 6 1/2 months and I absolutely love it…one day I’ll get past the scratchiness and bouncing bow and will be able to make beautiful music with this lovely instrument. Thank you!

[@denao1418]

Thank you so much for this video! I am just starting out with violin and having problems with the shaking bow and hitting multiple strings. I have watched many videos about this and learned some great rules and ways to improve which helped but despite improvement I was still having some trouble. But your advice has fixed the problem. I finally feel like I have the info needed to practice and improve. Thank you!

[@B_REGALAXEANRICHARDYUANR]

I LOVE YOU LAURAA YOU'RE A LIFE SAVERRR

[@gt_money]

Using more weight helped a lot, thank you!

[@javekane7180]

Thanks! I think that’s the first I heard elbow level explained in terms of keeping weight on the string. That simplifies thinking about it.

[@stormaurora5536]

Thank you so much! Only had my violin for a week and cannot get a decent sound from it but now I know what I need to do to make it sound better. Thank you.

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

You're welcome! Glad it's helpful!

[@ladjazzz]

Thanks for your tips

[@1nonlycricket]

Thank you because I am at my wits end!!!😂 I am returning after 40 years but I never recall my bow ever bouncing. It is so frustrating. I've been applying your suggestions and I am seeing major improvements... Much less bouncing. I will keep practicing before getting a better quality violin.😊

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

So glad it helps!

[@bonniesteinmetz4712]

Very clear, interesting and 'doable'! Thank you.

[@sadhbhdelahunt]

This was so informative

[@robertairvine9788]

Thanks Laura, this was very helpful and you provided specific tips for how to improve bowing. The TRex tip was my favourite!

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

You're welcome! Glad the trex tip helps!

[@aerodrome4427]

Thanks - very helpful. My arm was down and I was using finger pressure. Big difference in sound already. My violin is like a $180 kit but I don't think that has been the issue. Also I am starting the notes 1/3 up the bow. Im 58 and just been playing a few weeks.

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

Glad you found it helpful! Adjusting finger pressure on the bow can make a huge difference.

[@shelleysmith6113]

I really appreciate you! Thanks so much!

[@davidrosman4563]

Great lesson! Thank you.

[@sm9846]

Thank you so much for your excellent explanations ! Greetings from Iran 🙏 🌸🌷🌹

[@wendybaker9122]

Hi, I hope this message finds you well. Quick question, I'm a beginner, I'm also a left-hander. I have always held my violin on my left side and my bow in my right hand. In your opinion, should it be the other way around? Reasons why I say this, I have pain in my left shoulder and left side of my neck, and I find it very tricky to hold the violin steady without it rolling forward and I'm convinced I'm holding the violin incorrectly. I use a shoulder stand to help, and my chin rest is now centred. Any advice, thanks.

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

I would keep the violin on your left side. Pain in left shoulder and neck is common if your shoulder rest is not adjusted correctly for you. It's hard to diagnose without seeing what's going on, but try experimenting with a taller shoulder rest adjustment (maybe you're hunching your left shoulder to get the violin higher?) Also, the rolling motion may be fixed with putting a rubber band around the cushion of the shoulder rest (it gives traction). I actually just recorded a KZbin video about shoulder rest adjustment but it might be a few weeks before it's edited and ready for showtime. If you're subscribed you'll get a notification when it's ready! Hope that helps!

[@jeffbricmont2456]

Lora, brand new, and left-handed (yes, I'm using a LH violin) newbie. Great explanations, both for this problem and chin rest set-ups. Question: does the amount of tension IN the bow (applied with the screw) also affect bounce, i.e. horsehair pulled too tight? Thanks for your clear and concise explanations!

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

Hi Jeff, yes it does! If the hair is too tight it will tend to bounce more. Good point! That should be reason #11!

[@katsumikurta]

Hello! In general I wasn’t having issues with bouncy or shaky bow until I started to play up higher on my violin, specifically past d6 and especially when I do vibrato. Do you have any idea what is causing it? Help would be appreciated!

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

The higher you get, the less weight you need, so it's easier to get a bouncy bow. Try experimenting playing up high using various amounts of weight and speed combinations to find the ideal weight where you get a good sound but it doesn't bounce.

[@rachelhavens4724]

Love this video!!! So helpful!!!

[@jackloganbill605]

Thank you, another excellent lesson. Wow, I guess my local teacher is right (bow contact, weight not pressure, proper bow hold, etc.)

[@totallynotabot151]

That was a perfect explanation. Thank you so much!

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

You're welcome!

[@totallynotabot151]

@@MeadowlarkViolin Just please don't use the annoying KZbin thumbnails with big red arrows, and questionable facial expressions. This one stood out because it looked professional.

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

Good point! I have been experimenting with the ever so popular giant red arrows lately. But I think I will take your advice!@@totallynotabot151

[@JustFiddler]

matur suksma untuk videonya

[@williambradford3627]

This is a very helpful lesson!!I LIKE PRO ARTE STRINGS ALSO.

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

Thank you!

[@reciprocalhealing]

Super useful! Thank you

[@barbaragregory9179]

Love this video… so informative

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

Thank you!

[@sohinisewpershad2578]

This video was so helpful!!!! Thank you so much for making these 😀😀😀

[@tflorent]

Hi, at the beginning of the video, you speak about the quality of the violin that can impact the bow bouncing. In regard to that, which modification could we make that doesn't cost too much but would reduce a shaky bow? I checked in your description, so I am thinking the strings? or the bow? the bridge maybe? I kind of noticed that the bouncing happens more at the higher pitch 2 strings but not in the deep tones..

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

The strings or the bridge probably won't have a big effect on the bow bouncing or not. The bow will make the difference. It probably bounces more on the higher 2 strings because those strings require less weight. If you are using pressure, or too much weight, or if you're tense, those strings will tend to bounce more, but it's not because of the strings, it's just because you're more tense when you play the higher strings.

[@tflorent]

@@MeadowlarkViolin Thanks, now I will try to get a new bow for my Bday ;-)

[@philwong8523]

Thanks for your videos Lora,,, they're very helpful.

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

You're very welcome!

[@Linda_Eskin]

Thank you!!!

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

You're welcome!

[@musicwithhasala8033]

Thank you very much...it was really helpful ..❤❤❤

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

Great! So glad it's helpful!

[@DiegoCristiC]

thanks, thanks!

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

You're welcome!

[@DiegoCristiC]

@@MeadowlarkViolin this was really useful! just in a few days

[@caiushiticas4619]

I would even add that the position of the violin might influence the shaking of the bow as well. If the neck of the violin is held downwards, controlling all the weight on the string becomes much more difficult.

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

Yes, good observation.

[@Lgtv-p2p]

Thanks, so helpful just to know that your muscles need conditioning :) I will practice

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

Yes, sometimes it just takes time! Glad it was helpful!

[@vagabond197979]

I like how you laugh when you talk about having to use different weights at different parts of the bow and on different strings. I've been playing for about a year and I often find it ridiculous.

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

It is! 😄

[@ranjith.v.s]

Thank you ❤