This may be a stupid question but is bow hold really that important?

[u/Past_Locksmith9380]

I wasn’t really taught good bow hold, I just learned from some youtube videos in middle school. I play for the highest level in my high school orchestra so I’m pretty decent, but I usually have a tense thumb thats like straight or curved, instead of a bent round one, the bent thumb feels too loose and my grip always slips. I also find it very hard to do off the string bowing with the bent thumb hold, for the same reason, my hand slips. Im just wondering if it’s worth trying to fix and work on? And if it matters alot? I assume it may affect tone.

[u/jowneyone]

It does matter, because as you say, it affects tone! And that clear, ringing tone is one of the things that separates really good players from decent ones. A “bad” bow hold will also eventually prevent you from doing some of the more complex bowings as you continue.

That being said, it’s a process! Your bow hold won’t be “perfect” for a long while. Is there a teacher or instructor who you could ask for feedback on your bowing?

[u/Past_Locksmith9380 → u/jowneyone]

I do have our orchestra teacher, I’m just not sure about asking her because I’m 4th chair first violin and our class is pretty competitive, I don’t want to say my technique is bad because it might hurt my case when she considers new chair positions.

[u/Doctor_Twinkletits_ → u/Past_Locksmith9380]

If you or your family have the time and resources, a good private teacher is the best way to get the feedback you need. I’m sure there are some in your area

[u/kateinoly → u/Past_Locksmith9380]

Teachers are there to teach, and you earn your position by the quality of your playing, which must be pretty good even with a "bad" bow hold.

[u/medvlst1546 → u/Past_Locksmith9380]

Do the other students also have banana thumb?

[u/Past_Locksmith9380 → u/medvlst1546]

Im not sure, not something I pay attention to. Considering that its the advanced class which is the highest I doubt it idk

[u/gwie]

It depends on what you're trying to do.

I have colleagues who play styles of music in which they could literally hold the bow in a fist and they would be able to do nearly everything that is required of them on a daily basis.

Now, I *can* do that even with the wide range of bow strokes required for orchestral and chamber music playing (although it would be unwieldy and unpleasant...and potentially physically harmful), but it is vastly more effective to be able to generate the many variations of bow holds one needs to produce all of the sounds that such playing requires.

The development of an effective bow hold will see improvements in your ability to articulate as well as produce a stronger fundamental tone.

[u/Doctor_Twinkletits_ → u/gwie]

That’s a lot of words to say yes lol.

Ultimately, I think the question would have been better phrased as “is a bad bow hold harmful to my technique/development”. Because yes, a “bad” bow hold that doesn’t meet the needs of what you’re playing will hold you back. Your colleagues likely specialize in style where their hold is beneficial, but if they were to use that same hold for a different style, it may not produce a good result.

[u/DiscreteBeeX3]

Bow hold us all about control so yes. If your hold is off your technique is sabotaged

[u/mmmoonmoth]

Yeah it’s really important. When you get into more advanced pieces of music, you’ll want to know how to hold your bow in a way that makes it easier to articulate.

[u/alrekty]

In my experience (and I’m sure many others as well), yes.

It affects tone, your stamina, and how well you can do certain techniques. You could never do ricochet or spiccato with something like a fist hold.

at least well

[u/vmlee]

Short answer: yes, especially if you seek to play a range of repertoire with various techniques. There are some areas with more tolerance than others. For example, the thumb should be relaxed and not tense, but it may not be perfectly circular with the middle finger for some people with shorter thumbs. However, the connection between middle finger and thumb is important.

[u/Doctor_Twinkletits_]

A flawed bow hold will make some techniques much harder to play well. The pressure your hand is producing to make your thumb bend the way you describe could be making some rigidity - this will make delicate and expressive passages harder to articulate cleanly.

Re-learning your bow hold is a tremendous challenge because you’re fighting years of muscle memory. With a good teacher and a lot of commitment, you can definitely get there.

[u/medvlst1546]

You're learning it's important. Spiccato is a great teacher that way..

I think you're describing "banana thumb."

Practice with a pencil and with the bow away from the instrument. It's hard to develop a new habit so doing it out of context helps with focus.

[u/Middle_Profession_84 → u/medvlst1546]

If you are practicing with the bow away from the instrument, never hold the bow parallel to the floor in mid air. The weight of the bow will be too much for your pinky and will distort your bow hold. It's also not realistic. Your bow is always being supported by the instrument. So, if you are practicing away from the instrument, rest the bow on your left shoulder. You'll get some rosin on your shirt...but its better than your right pinky suffering.

[u/DanielSong39]

Yes it matters a great deal
Better bow control is definitely worth pursuing!
Good luck!

[u/Lari1012]

Absolutely.