Viola Bow Hold Tutorial with Ronald Houston - How to hold the viola bow properly

Ronald Houston, Professor at SMU Meadows School of the Arts shows how to properly hold a viola bow.
The bow hold is a very important part of viola technique! Mastering the bow hold is essential for great playing!

[@robertpadgett4192]

I will share this video with all of my students!

[@RonaldHouston]

What a wonderful idea… thank you!!

[@Splines]

Have not seen anybody explain it as concisely as you do. It helps a lot to see how it works step by step and close to the camera. Thanks a lot for your awesome work.

[@RonaldHouston]

Thank you for this comment. I am so glad the video helps you.

[@Skinny_Karlos]

As a violinist, just dipping my toes into the viola so to speak, and without a teacher (that's really bad, I know) this is/has been, really helpful. Thank you, Ronald. - Mark, Australia.

[@RonaldHouston]

Ah... Great you are on board with the viola.. And glad this video is helpful to you

[@Skinny_Karlos]

@@RonaldHouston Your videos really do help as I'd be doing everything 'violin' wise instead of realising the very big difference in approach to the instrument, the technique and, well, everything 'Viola'. Very next step and though $$ are an issue is getting a teacher, I do know just how integral that is and it really is first on my list. You play wonderfully by the way and the viola has such a different sound that one wouldn't expect from the seemingly small addition of a lower C string. Thanks again for all your help. - Mark, Australia

[@robertpadgett4192]

Flexibility + Strength + Precision = The Houston Bow Hold.

[@3ntfernung]

I've been playing the viola for three years, but my conductor is a brass player, not a strings player. I haven't had personal lessons. The only other violas in my ensemble, in the past three years, are two from this year, both first years, and one of them doesn't play. That is to say, I never learned anything that might be specific to the viola. It only dawned on me recently that the added size and weight would demand for a separate technique. Thank you for this video.

[@RonaldHouston]

Great! So glad it helps you!

[@bassplant]

I watched all the way until the end before realizing this isn’t a bbq grilling video. I figured this is the weirdest brisket ever.

[@chilliepierre]

I grew up and from 4th grade through high school played viola. I played a little in college, but it's been about 20 years since then. I purchased a decent sounding viola because I am determined to remind myself of the skill and play again. BUT...alas...I had forgotten some basics OR perhaps I had fallen into some bad habits. This video really helped me with my bow hold. Seriously. Night and day. Thank you. I hope to watch more of your videos.

[@RonaldHouston]

That’s great. I’m so happy this helps you! There are some other videos that I think would also be of interest to you!! There’s one about vibrato. One about strengthening left hand etc!! I’m always excited to hear about people’s progress on the instrument. Thanks for writing

[@chrisaviolist]

Thank you for this! Very useful video and tips

[@robertpadgett4192]

Thank you for such an insightful and informative introduction to the bow hold.

[@user-wz8hm3cc6m]

You are an amazing teacher!

[@RonaldHouston]

Thank you!!

[@roesparza57]

Me encantan tus videos, siempre contienen una explicación clara y fácil de los temas, gracias

[@RonaldHouston]

Thank you

[@lindachene5006]

You’re the best!

[@RonaldHouston]

I really appreciate that! I hope you learn from these videos!

[@horens_zer0]

You're the best 🙌🏻

[@RonaldHouston]

Thanks so very much

[@brianliaphiri]

Auw! Am really helped with this video. I will really let my fellow Violist see it. You have just answered my all questions. Thank you so much ❤️ At least it's not the same as of Violin bow holding 😄👌

[@RonaldHouston]

Hello Brian. I’m happy that h you enjoy this and that you share this video! Happy Practicing!!!!

[@JustyStoky]

Thanks so much! Could you possibly make a video on bow tilting. When I see you and other experienced violists and violinists bow it seems like the bow is never completely flat against the string at all times. On downbows it seems people tilt away towards the fingerboard. On upbows it seems the tilting is toward the bridge. I guess I'm asking because as a beginner you're taught to keep the bow flat. Also, I guess your concept of paint brush bowing is related to this or I've also heard it called figure 8 bowing. Thanks again.

[@TryharderSmile]

Currently in 6th grade, thank you so much for this!

[@RonaldHouston]

Good luck with your music!

[@hizaleus]

All the instrucions on bow hold for violin advised having the third finger over the "eye" of the frog. Your grip has the pinky at the eye. quite a difference.

[@RonaldHouston]

That is true.. There is so much more control for me ( and my students) to play in this way! You should try this!

[@user-lt7uh1np6f]

Thank you for the good video :) I was looking for a lecture like violin bow hold my teacher taught me. Is there a name for this hold method? I'd like to find more information.

[@RonaldHouston]

It’s a bow hold I teach to my students!

[@robertpadgett4192]

I see Heifetz in the background.

[@alfredoogomez1018]

Hello, Mr Houston! I wonder if you teach on Zoom... how can I get in touch with you for Viola classes?

[@RonaldHouston]

You can contact me at [e-mail]! Thank you

[@gregmonks]

I was taught that straight-fingered "Russian" bow-hold. aka "the Vulcan death grip". I will be watching your videos and switching . . .

[@RonaldHouston]

That is a great idea👍

[@rachelhavens4724]

I can't seem to stop gripping the bow with my thumb with a death grip haha how do I stop, what am I doing wrong

[@RonaldHouston]

I can't see you! So I can't exactly tell you what is wrong! But... Try visualizing OFF instrument and practice picking up objects like a pencil, a ball, etc.. Then pick up with only the thumb and one other finger... Observe how your thumb operates and see which finger you used with the thumb when only using two fingers! See how much curve or no curve your thumb has when doing these natural motions! Use this as a guide to thumb placement.. This is very difficult to explain here.. I should make a video about this!!

[@peggysx]

Isn't that a violin bow? I thought viola bows had frogs that curved not angled.

[@RonaldHouston]

Hello. No…. It is definitely a beautiful Viola bow… it is made about 120 years ago… and back then frogs could be rounded out square! These days they differentiate by curving the viola frog! Sometimes bow makers make square frogs for viola as using pattern from great old masters!

[@violaarami]

But the bow you holding looks like a violin bow… I can tell it by the frog’s shape.

[@RonaldHouston]

It is a viola bow... Many viola bows have square frogs