Common Causes of Unwanted Bouncing Bow

[@teddywang69]

0:58 1:18 bow hair tightness 2:55 sounding point 3:40 arm/pinky 4:45 appropriate colle 5:41 perpendicular to the string/tangent to bridge 9:12 reverse gravity exercise

[@daviddobrydnio1746]

Parallel to the bridge? From calculus tangent is making contact with the surface of the would be curve which in this context is the bridge at a point or line?

[@Deluge4000]

Thank you so much! Came here looking for this information in the comments. Very helpful :)

[@teddywang69]

@@Deluge4000 you are welcome

[@KaiTakApproach]

I am using several sources to teach myself to play violin, but yours is far and away the best source for clear technical help. Thank you for having such a polished style; it is clearly the result of lots of hard work on top of intelligence.

[@kathrinkaefer]

I just started learning collé and my bow started bouncing on the down bow... this has solved it for me, thank you!

[@RedDesertViolin]

I am SO happy to hear that!

[@Judexy22]

I am in the engineering field, and I understand how important to understand the engineering part of things. You teach exactly what a Learner needs to know. Your videos already helped me improve a lot. Most of my stubborn bad habits disappeared. Thank you.

[@RedDesertViolin]

Glad it helped! It's a sticky problem, but you will overcome it. Did I mention in the video the trick of LOWERING YOUR ELBOW on the bow arm slightly??? I have discovered that trick while reading the Galamian book....and WOW....it's very effective for stopping the bounce.

[@sba49]

As a violin-newbee I see all of my problems are being addressed in your videos ;-) I do take lessons, but your videos are a great as they are just 'out there' and I can watch them and learn from them anytime I need to and want to. Thank you for putting these videos on KZbin!

[@RedDesertViolin]

Yes, a tense bow arm, or perhaps a tense bow hand. There are other factors as well, but eliminating tension is a good place to start! Keep up the great work!

[@RedDesertViolin]

I TOTALLY agree, Dee. When my bounce problem starts coming back, I start FOCUSING on it, and it almost CAUSES it to happen just from thinking about it!!! I liked someone's suggestion about thinking about Portato, or a "Loure" motion, to eliminate the bounce. I think that engages all the right thoughts and muscles.

[@dr916]

Thanks so much for this! I just bought my first violin 3 days ago and I'm learning how to play on my own with the help of you generous people on youtube who give tutorials. 😆

[@RedDesertViolin]

How's it going, DR? Teaching yourself is an awesome challenge. KZbin is an excellent resource. If you get overwhelmed, or want more organized, systemmatic content, feel free to check out my beginner's course at www.reddesertviolin.com. But I wish you the BEST OF LUCK!

[@dr916]

it's going well thank you so much! :)

[@thestrivinghero9536]

right? I'm so grateful for tutors on this site. Not everyone can afford and/or even find a tutor in their area, like me. :( (also I highly recommend Allison the online violin & piano tutor on youtube here. She gives free lessons and sheet music in her videos! )

[@hachuumickey]

May I just say that your teaching video is really helpful, you always can point out the underlying factor of some problems that I suffer. Thank you so so much and I will definitely keep watching your videos.

[@RedDesertViolin]

Yes, it's a complicated concept, I'm really glad you understood what I was trying to say. It was key for me, as well.

[@sandeepuniyal6164]

How deep you have investigated !Mind blowing !!! Thank you for this video too.

[@bethkatz7027]

I love all your videos. Your ability to explain the technicalities and problems of playing the violin are the best on the internet and have helped me enormously! Thank you for imparting your insights!

[@kcarterp1992]

OH my gosh! I had no idea that you had made a video concerning this issue! I've been struggling with this for a long time, and for most of my violin playing years I was convinced that it was just nerves, but then I realized that it couldn't be because it would happen while I was playing by myself, and obviously I am not nervous when I am just practicing in my room alone. So I have been searching for answers. This video has helped me tremendously! I will definitely put some of it into practice (haha) tomorrow. My teacher when I was in college was completely stumped by my problem because I was her first student to ever encounter it, and she didn't have a clue how to fix it. Thank you so much for all of your videos, they are extremely helpful to me.

[@RedDesertViolin]

Keith--I am very glad it will help you. Also, notice the comment below about VIBRATO possibly contributing to the bouncy bow. You will be able to tell if it is related to your vibrato or not. Make a list of the suspects, and investigate them one by one. Soon, you will have a short list of 2-3 main culprits, and you can eliminate them one by one! (Remember to relax your fingers, and don't use an over-zealous colle'...) Good luck!

[@RedDesertViolin]

Open strings are a Great strategy for mastering tone and technique! Keep it up!

[@RedDesertViolin]

You are very welcome! Glad to know my instruction style is working for you. Paying attention to the technique and control of the experts is a GREAT habit to get into. Keep up the good work!

[@RedDesertViolin]

Thanks for your input, Emily Rose. You nailed it....the pressure of the bow on the string makes a HUGE difference! And people try to press harder to AVOID making the string bounce, and that just makes the problem worse!

[@karpdiem2]

I posted a comment about what I thought was "collet" motion. I removed it when I reqlized it was in actuallity, colle. I've never heard that term used in the years I've played. This was a useful video. I've pretty much resolved the bouncing bow issue after playing about 11 years (with some really TERRIBLE) teachers. I'm trying to unlearn som eawful habits. Actually, your videos are very practical & you communicate clearly - something that many "teachers" fail to appreciate.

[@monicakim9143]

Thank you so much!! I played in elementary and middle school, but never had a private teacher and such didn't learn any of these skills. Now I'm returning as an adult and your video was incredibly helpful. I appreciate you including explanations about the theory behind the movement and how the bow and string interact. Very informative. My tone has already improved.

[@RedDesertViolin]

SO glad it has helped, Monica! Keep up your good work, and good luck to you! If you need more help than KZbin can provide, check out my online classes at www.RedDesertViolin.com. Take care!

[@user-sn5cz4eq3l]

Thank you for the analysis based on the balance point (center of gravity) of the bow! You might want to try bowing while holding the bow with just the middle finger and thumb. My bow bounce went away when I did this! I fixed my bow bounce by more smoothly transitioning from applying pressure with my pinkie to applying pressure with my index finger when the balance point of the bow passed over the string. Thanks again!

[@TheStarlitfuse]

I've noticed that the bow bounces when I am not paying attention to the 'weight shifts' in the bow as it is drawn across the string. The bow is like a lever with a dynamic fulcrum, and the right arm needs to constantly match the load of the bow's weight at any point along the bow's length in a continuous smooth way. If any 'twitchyness' occurs near the balancing point, there can be bouncing.

[@loralynstaples5483]

THAT was extremely well stated! Wow, you just hit the nail on the head. Thank you for that!

[@wormtowndj]

This has been plaguing me for months, and the revelation for me was that I long ago decided that I like a looser bow. I tried your pencil trick and everything fell into place. So simple! Thank you for putting this together.

[@RedDesertViolin]

HEY....I think that is a WONDERFUL way of working on this problem! Thanks for the idea!

[@brunoj.navarro3723]

This video was extremely helpful to understand the physics behind bow jumping. Thank you!

[@RedDesertViolin]

You are very welcome. If you discover something NEW about the unwanted bounce, please share! Viewers often teach ME things!

[@cbates139]

Your use of the music stand in your demonstration was insightful. The motion of the bow across the string, when not perpendicular, appears to 'reflect' some of the vibration back to the stick, increasing the likelihood of a bounce.

[@canwick5678]

I play violin for 3 years and I have this problem for a long time, I am going to do all of the things you said and I am gonna solve it, thank you a lot, you are a very good teacher

[@RedDesertViolin]

Yes, it's such a common problem...and hard to solve because SO MANY THINGS can cause it. Just pay attention, tend to all the details, and you will figure it out.

[@1cleandude]

Love all your lessons; taught with compassion! Don't focus on the hair too much, you have the face for any style!!

[@RedDesertViolin]

:-) Thanks!

[@ivyssauro123]

Wow, your video has helped me so much, thank you very much for this detailed and insightful video! I was going smoothly through suzuki in every single aspect but one, bowing, my bow bounces like hell, I did everything everyone told me but it didn't help and I couldn't take anymore, so many bow exercises were killing the joy of it, but you just boosted my progress!

[@RedDesertViolin]

I am SO happy to hear this comment, Ivo. Hooray! Keep up the good work!

[@RedDesertViolin]

@GoldenUdder Thanks for the compliment! I am realizing that this bouncing bow thing is a VERY common affliction! It takes LOTS of finesse to finally eliminate it!

[@lsefia]

Thanks for your video, was quite explicit and helpful. I am inspired to go through all your videos

[@brainwasher9876]

Bow bouncing has been driving me nuts. I used to not have a problem with it but now as soon as I notice it it gets worse the more I try to correct it. Thanks so much for this video, I'm going to study it to death and hopefully stomp this problem into the ground.

[@RedDesertViolin]

Andrew Wang LOLOL Andrew. You sound like the way I felt about 15 years ago. But, try to "zen" it....if you fight too much, it will only make it worse. The BIGGEST thing that helped me was learning to choose the appropriate "plane" for my bow, AND choose the correct elbow height. My elbow was too high, which I thought was helping, but it was making it worse. It felt really weird to lower my elbow.....but it did help kill the bounce.

[@JessicaPilotGirl]

+Andrew Wang Buy a better bow, man. I did it and it's perfect now.

[@brainwasher9876]

MercedesKawasaki I think it's honestly my technique that needs improving. My bow's pretty good.

[@JessicaPilotGirl]

Oh I see, your bow hold is probably not firm enough. Try to fix it but don't worry about it all that much, I find when I don't worry about a particular detail, I just automatically do it right.

[@brainwasher9876]

MercedesKawasaki that's sound advice. Being tense helps no one. I think it's interesting that when practising, you have to think MORE, but thinking too much (particularly during a performance) can make problems crop up where you totally didn't realize it before. A balance has to be struck at all times.

[@RedDesertViolin]

Amen to everything you said! Cool screen name, but the way! Yes, the colle' can be deadly to adding to the bounce. Balance is also huge, as is tension! Good points, all.

[@Rudel23]

Excellent video thank you! It is worth to say that the last "gravity" exercice can - or must- be performed also with the reverse gravity, playing while laying down on the floor with vertical violin (violin head ponting at the ceiling) , so youl'll have the 2 gravity options...

[@RedDesertViolin]

I like this idea!

[@brettkolb5285]

Insanely helpful! Not many people get straight to the point! And you covered everything I was doing wrong! My strokes sound much better now!

[@RedDesertViolin]

SOOO glad, Brett. Good luck to you!

[@Bushpony]

Thank you for your videos! I'm returning to playing after about 25 years, and can't afford lessons just yet, and this is SO very helpful, thanks again!

[@rakkowakko4921]

Learning violin on my own is hard. I probably would have given up if not for your videos. Now, I'm glad I stuck it out. Thank you so much.

[@RedDesertViolin]

Rakko Wakko That is music to my ears! KEEP IT UP! Getting past the first beginner's hump is the worst part! The worst is behind you now!

[@Wiktorion]

I'm starting to get okay at finding the notes on my violin and now I can focus on mechanics like bowing and intonation. This video is great - thanks!

[@banjiddle]

Yes! Very helpful reverse gravity bowing. I like you showing, and explaining perpendicular bowing to the string..

[@valeaves]

Ling Ling workout at the end xD

[@RedDesertViolin]

Love Ling Ling! :-P

[@RedDesertViolin]

I'm glad it helped! If you find that the bounce comes back, just go down the checklist: bow tension, hand tension, wrist tension, crooked bow, bow plane, play upside down, tilt the bow, etc. You'll figure it out! (Hopefully, the bounce won't come back!!!) --L

[@RedDesertViolin]

Hi Trenton Wow. That is such a simple question, and it used to confuse me too! The answer is not easy, but in general, YES, reset your bow in the breath mark. In violin, there are places where we have to "cheat" the value of a note in order to execute our bowings properly. So when you see a breath mark, generally, pick up your bow quickly, set it silently back toward the frog, and be ready to play your next note. GREAT question!!!

[@FacemeltingsolosMusic]

Your videos have been a great help to me, getting back into playing violin. Analogies are nice and clear, too. This one in particular, though, is a massive help. I'm sure Kenny Loggins was annoyed with me always bowing in the danger zone. Thank you so very much. Now back to vibrato practice...

[@omegaz80]

Amazing explanation of what's going on with bouncing bow... and how to work around it.... thanks a lot

[@Pagabunni]

Nice video, thank you very much for your advices. I am also a violinist and teacher. For me i think the most common causes (besides stiffness) of the bounce are: 1. players are lifting the bow when they change from up bow to down bow, like picking up a basketball and drop it again. 2. many student bows are too soft and frog heavy. Hope it helps. thanks.

[@RedDesertViolin]

I'm glad you find the value in these videos! Keep workin!

[@mengqilyu130]

Thank you so much! As an adult beginner who has this very problem, i find this extremely useful!

[@RedDesertViolin]

It's a very common problem. But you will overcome it. Just don't let it give you a complex!

[@LisaDubyaNTx]

Thank you for these videos! I am returning to the instrument because my kids have started playing and I want us to be able to play together.

[@RedDesertViolin]

That is music to my ears! I LOVE when families can play and enjoy music together. There's nothing better!

[@AaronPoliwoda25-3]

Really thanks for the #2 pencils advice!! Without it I wouldn't have noticed that I was stretching out the bow too much.

[@RedDesertViolin]

really glad it helped, Aaron. Good luck to you!

[@patsythomas1093]

I used to have a terrible time with bow bounce. This is very helpful. And . . . your hair is very cute.

[@RedDesertViolin]

Hi Patsy, thank you for your comment and I'm glad you like my hair! The bouncing bow is big blight when you have it. But you just have to keep following the clues and consider all the many possible causes and eliminate them one by one. You will eventually figure it out. Keep up the good work and good luck!

[@paulakoehler959]

Amazing tips! So helpful! I tend to hold my bow too tight and cant seem to curve little finger. Ill try to pay attention to all these things now. I really enjoyed this. Great teaching!

[@RedDesertViolin]

Think of everything in violin as a CIRCLE. Hold your bow like you are holding an egg. Vibrato is like a circle. Bowing is like a circle. Circles circles circles!

[@aldami88]

congratulations on your videos,You are so incredible clear when you explain something and that an art, also the imagination explaining things is so genuine. Brava ! I play viola for 15 years already and I still struggle with tiny or micro bouncing of the bow , and recently I've noticed that when I changed strings violently, or without the right preparation, that's is when it happens ( in my case). thats why when I heard you talking about the bow perpendicularity, I think thats really the key !

[@GeorgeDaBarber777]

Thank you thank you thank you soo much!!!!!! This is exactly what I needed!!! As soon as I watched the video and focused on all those little details the bounce went away and I was playing much better😄😄😄

[@RedDesertViolin]

+George Bahena AWESOME. THat is music to my ears!

[@adamrosefire]

Very helpful, thanks. It seemed for me that playing closer to the bridge helped reduced bounce, but I’ll have to rest it out some more. Also, the way we place our left hand fingers seems to affect it too - placing them too hard, or starting vibrato too soon also seems to increase bounce.

[@RedDesertViolin]

I think those are really good ideas, Adam. Thank you!

[@RedDesertViolin]

Yeah, I don't know why teachers avoid the subject of colle'. It's not that hard to teach. I don't teach my beginners about colle', because they have enough to worry about. But by Suzuki Book 3, or end of Book 2, the topic should come up. I'm glad you are finding some answers now! Better late than never!

[@femmefatale0012]

thankyouthankyou so much I never knew how tight my bow was really supposed to be, and the playing upside down tip helped ohsomuch. Thank you again.

[@RedDesertViolin]

AudreyHepburn98 You're very welcome. Odd, but effective little tip, isn't it?

[@BCUMF03]

This is clearly stated and understandable. Thanks. I suffer the bouncing bow and didn't know any of this. I am grateful.

[@RedDesertViolin]

HOORAY! I hope it resolves for you!

[@kenmannagh7788]

Excellent just the advice i needed . Thankyou superb instructions 🎻🌹

[@bencze465]

I just want to say this still helps some people. I just started a bit more than 2 weeks ago and it's exciting, also somewhat funny that such a "simple" thing (intellectually) can be this complex to execute properly. Today I had the bounciest bow of all when I played for my teacher, just a simple practice piece with a lot of slow open strings. It was worse than a week ago when I started practicing it. Super disappointing and frustrating. I didn't feel really nervous or anything but I guess a bit was enough. It's kind of funny to see these things I know from twoset memes already apply to me. Tomorrow I'll try to pay attention to all of these aspects and try some more. Thanks for the explanation, your explanations are the best, at least from an adult perspective.

[@RedDesertViolin]

Thanks for writing! Glad the video is still having a positive effect! Only 2 weeks in? You are going to do great! Good luck!

[@tremor1016]

this solves my problem! thank you! i'm really new to violin(i don't own one yet but a friend of mine let me use his electric violin) and i keep experiencing bounce on the danger zone that you mentioned while doing open string exercises.

[@jpschmidt44]

You are such a great teacher. Thanks.

[@RedDesertViolin]

You're very welcome, and thank you!

[@nicelauralee]

Wow your teaching is so great. Incredible. Thank you very much.

[@Divyasebastian1004]

Great lessons to improve violin skills...thankuuuuuu😍

[@RedDesertViolin]

Thank you, Divyasebastian1004! Wanna do me a favor, pretty please? Visit this link, and vote for Red Desert Violin. I"m a finalist in a contest and I need EVERY vote I can get! Please vote daily until February 8! THANK YOU! www.aweber.com/bigimpact.htm

[@slimyelow]

I was making down strokes in that 'Danger zone" plus dropping my shoulder and slowing down bow speed to much. IT was driving me nuts. Thanks for the awesome video!

[@RedDesertViolin]

Glad it helped! Good job solving your problem!

[@teddyak98]

Many thanks for taking the time to puzzle it out and explain! A few of those factors effect me, but it would've taken me forever to recognize the 'angle of attack' variable, which looks like my main issue.

[@RedDesertViolin]

Thanks, FineViolins! Always glad to help a fellow teacher out. :)

[@xsilentdream]

I need to watch this a couple hundred times! Thank you

[@RedDesertViolin]

+xsilentdream LOL.....I know, there are A LOT of things that contribute to the bounce! You will figure it out! Good luck!

[@xsilentdream]

+Red Desert Violin Thank you! I've just seen your crooked bow video two days ago and promptly went about correcting it. It was very clear! (Scrub a dirty doggie!) Now the bounce seems to be worse but I'm not particularly worried. Think it's my muscles adjusting to the unnatural angle since I've been bowing crooked for months.

[@RedDesertViolin]

I'm glad it helped you. I find that my "unwanted bounce" comes back once in awhile, and I always have to figure out one of the many ways to get rid of it. But, it gets easier and easier to ANTICIPATE, and ELIMINATE the bounce. Good luck! --L

[@laci12laci]

Just beginning to play the violin and this vid really really helped. Thank you!

[@RedDesertViolin]

@savblanco Chris-- I think your description is perfect. That is exactly what has to happen. It's a really tough transition to get from the lower half of the bow past the "bounce zone" as you cleverly coined it, and then into the upper half, because each half of the bow uses different muscle combinations. I like your description. Thanks! --L

[@yuhaozheng2242]

This is exactly the video I need!! Thanks for uploading!

[@RedDesertViolin]

Soooooo glad! Thanks!

[@RedDesertViolin]

WONDERFUL! I love it when it's easy!

[@pianodudeler]

Cannot thank you enough for these wonderfully helpful and encouraging videos!

[@RedDesertViolin]

@aimson Sorry for the delayed response. I do have some suggestions for double stops....well, it's not just for double stops. Of course, try to MINIMIZE the size of your string crossings, and tilting the bow ever so slightly can really kill the bounce. I love your tip about HORIZONTAL movement rather than VERTICAL. Good point.....especially true for double stops! --L

[@mikebluarmy2]

Re - those sensitive long pianissimi where unwanted shake or jittering can occur on the upper third of the bow, it can help gently following the bow (movng slowly) with the violin to help relax the upper arm.

[@pastore0506]

Thanks for this video. I have recently developed a problem with bow bounce but you have given me much food for thought :) George

[@RedDesertViolin]

@ShadowProgs LOL! I felt pretty stupid doing it too.....but it sort of helps us to understand the difference between GRAVITY, as opposed to OUR OWN muscle effort on the bow! Here's to practicing up-side-down!

[@kevincecchini368]

Thank you, spectacular information

[@bethsanchez3574]

Thank you for this very detailed video. I played violin all through school and never had a problem with bow bounce. I just started up again with an amateur symphony a few months ago and I cannot stop my bow from bouncing when the conductor asks for Forte or especially fortissimo, and he asks for it alot. It is very embarrassing. I even went to a violin shop thinking I needed a new bow but when I tested out other ones I had the same problem so it is not the bow, it is me. Tomorrow I am going to put your suggestions to the test and pray one of them help me because my first concert in 29 years is this Sunday and I am terrified, which only increases the already terrible bounce.

[@Oblivion-bk6fg]

How did it go?

[@RedDesertViolin]

Yes, how did your concert go? Hey, if the bow bounced, it bounced. Don't let that defeat you. It can take time to conquer it, but YOU WILL. Make a list of all the possible causes, and slowly cross them off the list. You'll figure it out. Good luck!!!!!!! I'm glad you have an orchestra to play in. That's fabulous.

[@RedDesertViolin]

Interesting. I'll have to try that, I've never thought of that one! Thanks!

[@sriwulanadji4050]

This video is a great lesson, I learnt so much from it. Thanks.

[@melanieklarofficial]

You are awesome! Thank you for doing this! What about if your bow bounces when you perform only-due to nerves? Any tips on how to really relax and get your arm to stay relaxed?

[@RedDesertViolin]

GREAT QUESTION. I understand the problem. When I say "perpendicular", I mean to try to position the bow so that it is as close to being PARALLEL to the ground as possible, without hitting the next lower string. This will allow gravity to help you, and it will also minimize the "springiness" of your bow on the "Springiness" of the string. It sort of allows you to bow "uphill", which keeps you more grounded than bowing "downhill". I hope this helps! --L

[@PangKhaiShuen]

THANKS!!! You helped me A LOT!!!! I've been dealing with these bounces when I'm changing bow direction (down bow - lift - downbow)

[@banjiddle]

Great video for me because I know now why my pinky is straight when bowing. My teacher never corrected me. Also, the perpendicular and bending over to bow tips are great tips! Thank you! Bad habits can develop if not corrected!

[@RedDesertViolin]

Wow, good to hear, Terry! (the bending over never made sense to me, but other people told me about it, and LOTS of people have told me it helps! LOL)

[@eaglekeeper6056]

Very informative video with good tips on how to avoid bow bounce. But I would like to add that the quality of the bow can have a drastic effect on bow bouncing. I use a carbon fiber bow due to the fact that I simply can't afford a pernambuco bow. But just the other day I tried to use my fathers bow on his violin and had to put a considerable amount of effort into keeping the bow from bouncing. He has a brazil wood bow and it's a lot more flimsy than my carbon bow. The stick isn't nearly as stout as my carbon bow, and even more flimsy than the brazil wood bow that I no longer use that came with my violin. When I loosened the bow enough to where it would no longer bounce I found that when I really went to get down into the strings for a bold sound the bow hairs bottomed out on the stick. So keep in mind that the quality of the bow also has a lot to do with bouncing. I'll be lending my carbon bow to my father for a few weeks to see how he likes it in comparison to his bow.

[@RedDesertViolin]

Jeff, I agree totally. Not only the flimsy versus firm, but also the balance point of the bow, and the different "camber" (curve) of each bow will affect its bounciness.

[@cnewtonc]

That was excellent; I wish you were my teacher many years ago.

[@RedDesertViolin]

Sure! Glad you like them.

[@RedDesertViolin]

Good! Glad it worked for you. Good luck.

[@ashwalk85]

this is awesome, thank you so much for this well taught piece of advice. I'm not a violin player, but sometimes I record a few violin notes on my music, and this has helped me a lot.

[@lyilux]

Thank you, for this! There is already an improvement and I know what to practice to help even more. Thanks again!

[@susantau]

Crystal clear instruction as usual from Red Desert. Thank you! P.S. Oh and yeah - great hair too!! ;)

[@RedDesertViolin]

LOLOL.....well, now I'm thinking I should get the hair bleach out again! Thanks for watching, and for the compliment!

[@RedDesertViolin]

@Kirkseyyang Thanks for the breathing comment, Kirkseyyang. You are SO RIGHT. I know when I am nervous, I focus on my breathing, deep inhale, slow exhale....it calms me down instantly. And yes, shallow breathing WILL add to shaky muscles. Also.....I recently taught a webcam lesson, and worked with the student on his bouncy bow for 15 minutes before he told me that he was extremely nervous and that his bow usually doesn't bounce! YES, nerves cause bouncing!

[@gligachaz5047]

I have only had my violin one month and had two lessons, so a complete beginner, but can get a nice sound. I occasionally get some bounce, my teacher said it is too much upward pressure from the thumb which is competing with the downward pressure from the fingers above the bow which causes it. As I'm a beginner I haven't completely got rid of it yet, but often it seems I am pressing up with my thumb without realising. A phrase which I have read that I find helpful is "you should try to feel the weight of the bow with your thumb". I also had my thumb stuck rigidly bent which I have been told is wrong, as it should be more relaxed and straighten slightly at times. Sorry if I am stating obvious things.

[@RedDesertViolin]

It is not obvious at all! Thank you for your feedback! There are a million ways of looking at this problem, and this thumb thing might help someone else. Keep up the good work!

[@urlodellanutria]

a-ah, this 'equi-distant angle' made it clear to me. So I guess double stopping is a good diagnostic (as always) , cause there is only one possible angle you must keep from the beginning to the end of your bowing. I actually realized that in my case bouncing occurs more often on chords and double-stops, so this may really be the issue. Thanks!

[@greenshp]

I rarely have had any bow bounce, but every time I have, I had to take a breath and consciously relax my bowing wrist and forearm.... that was all it was. That was it, nothing more. I was surprised you didn't list that one! :) It's usually when I'm learning something new/difficult and I am mildly frustrated and concentrating too hard. I just need to relax the arm a bit and have more fun.

[@RedDesertViolin]

Simple and effective! Thanks for adding that!

[@eriknystrom5839]

My bow bouncing problem was solved when my teacher told me to use the index finger and NOT the complete right hand for the bow pressure. That doesn't mean increased bow pressure, just how you apply the pressure. To do this, I found it helpfull to have my index finger a little higher on the bow than most players, almost at the top of the silver lining. The other fingers I place according to you videos. Perhaps this tip could also help somebody else?

[@eriknystrom5839]

Forgot to mention: less colle and a relatively high (but not to high) elbow position (as mentioned in the video) also helps in using the index finger for the bow pressure.

[@RedDesertViolin]

Erik Nystrom Thank you Erik...Great Advice. Its always helpful when people can relate their personal experiences to a particular problem and lend some tips to others having similar problems.

[@syedmushtaq123]

Thank you for this video . It helped me a lot

[@jsreaves1019]

Thanks for the video! The idea of bending over so the scroll is perpendicular to the floor helped me identify a problem with the motion of my bow arm. (It's hard to describe, but I found that on the down bow, the upper arm has to move back a little to get out of the way and allow the forearm to follow through.) I also noticed that the problem was worse on the A string than on the D string, so I adjusted my shoulder rest to reduce the tilt of the violin. To my surprise, I was able to eliminate the unwanted bounces within a day.

[@RedDesertViolin]

Jason, this was so cool to read. Glad it helped! You said something that really got my attention.....how tall are you? Because if you are quite tall, you have just explained to me how to help my tall students. (moving the upper arm BACK a little to get out of the way..........) Please write back......I'd really like to know how tall you are.

[@jsreaves1019]

I'm not very tall, just 5'8". For me, it wasn't a matter of creating space for a long bow arm, but more a need to relax my shoulder (my Alexander Technique teacher says it's actually the sternoclavicular joint) so that it was free to move, just as the elbow, wrist and fingers are free to move. One exercise that helped me is to repeat short bows on a single note, near the middle of the bow, allowing only one part of the bow arm to move at a time (shoulder or SC joint, elbow, and finally wrist/fingers). Two of the areas are locked in place while the 3rd does all of the moving. This helped me to learn to relax each part of the bow arm and feel how each part contributes to a normal bow stroke.

[@RedDesertViolin]

Aaah. Thank you for replying back, Jason. YOu are very fortunate to have a A.T. teacher! Keep up the great work!

[@pastore0506]

I discovered that I was not holding my bow perpendicular to the string and this was causing the bounce. Thanks again :) George

[@russelljenkinsfearn]

Wow I got to 4:40 is and raised my elbow and the bloody bouncing just disappeared. Thank you so much I’ll watch and study the rest of the video with pleasure but I think I’m cured now. Thanks again Russell in Peru