How To (and should you) Bow Straight on the Violin or Viola?

Written by Zlata Brouwer
Published: December 31, 2013 at 2:04 PM [UTC]

Why should you bow straight? What is the difference in sound it makes?

When shouldn't you bow straight?

How to bow straight?

Watch this video and learn!

Is this video useful to you? Please let me know in the comments!

Love,

Zlata

PS: Do you have questions for me on violin or viola playing? Post a comment below or send an e-mail to info@violinlounge.com

From Ellis Jackson
Posted on January 1, 2014 at 4:23 AM

Wonderful advice. I would add one of the keys to bowing straight (and tone production in general) is relaxation. It's easy to guide the bow to a curve once you learn to play relaxed straight strokes. Even within a single sounding point one will find so many different tone colors--especially at the ends of the bow! I see a lot of people uncomfortable with extended playing at the tip or frog...there are some heartfelt touches that can only be done at the frog (think Kreisler's music) and some elegant touches that can only be done at the point (plenty in Mozart!). It's not enough to settle while faffing around in the middle of the bow.

Great video, Zlata!

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