A Guide to Finding the Perfect Bow.

Now that you have found the perfect instrumental match, you will need a bow to go with!

If violin shopping is overwhelming, bow shopping can be even more. Just as each instrument is unique, so is each bow. A good bow can bring out the best qualities of your instrument. For example, a violin played with two different bows can sound completely different. How to make sense of all of the options?

• Know your budget.
• Stay AWAY from Amazon and EBay!
• Know your skill level. A beginner student will have very different demands from a bow than an intermediate student. A beginner is looking for a bow that is sturdy but has some bounce to it. I recommend a carbon fiber or brazilwood bow for beginners, as these materials are flexible, yet sturdy. This allows the beginner to develop technique without the maintenance of a pernambuco bow. If you are intermediate or a more advanced student, know what kind of music you like to play and how you play. Have an idea of what kind of techniques you are already familiar with and which you are looking to learn. You will need a bow to handle all of it. A pernambuco bow may be worth considering at this stage.
• Have your instrument with you. You are looking for a bow to match to your instrument — not the other way around. Bring your instrument to the shop. Alternatively, you can do an in-home trial in the same way that you did when shopping for your instrument.
  
• Get a feel for how the bow feels in your hand and interacts with your instrument. Pick it up. Do “windshield wipers.” Is the bow too heavy or too light? Does it feel funny in the frog? The bow should ideally feel like a natural extension of your hand.
  
• Play! Feel the bow on the strings. Basic scales and simple songs are good indicators- just make sure that you are playing the same selections with each bow choice. Does the bow move smoothly? Do you feel as though you are working too hard? Is there a good bounce to the bow?
• Have a friend or teacher play while you listen to hear the differences. Are there unexpected scratchy sounds or squeaks? Do the strings sound clear?
• Use process of elimination to narrow your choices.

If you have further questions, consult your teacher. Once you find a match for your instrument, GO PRACTICE!

In my humble opinion, shopping for instruments, accessories, and bows is second only to getting a new puppy. I think it has much to do with the fact that, as artists, our instruments are more than “things”— they become an extension of ourself. And, as a (generally) handmade item from organic material (wood), no two are exactly the same. Each instrument has its own personality and identity.
With hundreds of options now available online, it can get overwhelming very quickly. How do we find our perfect musical match?


Below are some steps to help guide you:


1A. Find a reputable seller. This bears repeating time and again: STAY AWAY from Amazon and eBay. While these forums are great for everyday consumer goods and an occasional unique item, the biggest problem with purchasing instruments from these sources is that there is no quality control: instruments sold on Amazon and eBay come from individual sellers. Who could be ANYONE. On Amazon, you will frequently see cheap “packages” for $50-100. You get what you pay for. Frequently, these products are imported from China with no quality check. They are poorly made. For example: I once had a student using an Amazon violin (one of those packages), and the violin literally would not produce sound. The top plate would not vibrate at all. Similarly, instruments from eBay can come in any condition. Many instruments are sold by individuals who have no knowledge of the product they are selling and have not maintained the instrument. The instrument may be missing parts, or have significant internal damage that is invisible to the untrained eye, meaning that you would be lucky to have it produce any sound without costly repairs. A reputable seller can guide you in the right direction for your budget and skill level, and you can rest easy knowing that your instrument is quality.

1B. Know your budget. Instrument shopping can be much like wedding dress shopping for car or house shopping). You know when you are in love. You wouldn’t go into a wedding dress store and try on the designer gown, only to fall in love with it it, if it was out of your budget. You would be heartbroken. The same is true for instrument shopping: you do not look at an old Italian golden era violin unless you are planning to spend millions. It is an extreme example, but it illustrates the point. You are only setting yourself up for disappointment. Additionally, know what you will need- is your budget for the instrument alone, or will you need a bow? What about other accessories: a music stand, rosin, a case, a shoulder rest of endpin stop?

​ 1C. Know your skill level (or the level of your student). This can be closely related to your budget. “Student” instruments, or instruments for beginners, are much less expensive than instruments for intermediate/advanced. If you are a student, you are looking for an instrument that can meet you where you are and leave you room for growth. For a more advanced student or professional, the wrong instrument can hold you back. In short, not all instruments are created equal. Because the mechanics of stringed instruments are based in vibrations, a higher quality, thinner, aged wood is going to give you the best sound. A thicker wood is going sound more muffled. This will get the job of learning done for a young beginner, who is just learning how the instrument operates, and is not yet interested in the nuances of sound and playability that a professional wants and needs. For you beginners, it is also worth pointing out that beginner instruments can withstand childhood bumps and bruises, while teaching proper instrument maintenance.

2. PLAY the prospective instruments. This is a crucial step, and one that can often be overwhelming. Once you have found a reputable shop and know the above factors, the shop assistant can point you in the right direction. They will typically select 3 or 4 instruments for you to play first. A basic 2 octave G major scale will do, because all strings are incorporated. Playing the instruments one at a time in succession will allow you to hear and feel the differences in each. Choose your top 2 and ask for a new group. See if any in the new group stand out. Then play the favorites and continue narrowing. It is often helpful in this process to bring a trusted teacher, friend, or family member along to also listen. Additionally, you can ask either a member of your party or the shop assistant to play the instrument for you so that you can hear what the instrument sounds like to the audience. You’d be surprised at the difference in perspective! For comparison purposes, it is important to use the same bow throughout.
If you are a parent purchasing an instrument for a beginner or intermediate student, and you are not able to have the student try out the instrument ahead of time, that’s ok! Speak with the shop assistant. Describe your student’s lessons, including method book and last piece played so that the assistant can get an idea of where your student’s instrument needs fall, and where their progress is going. Many shops have packages that can be tailored to your student’s needs.
But there’s no instrument store in my area!! Not to worry! Many reputable shops shop across the country and will offer you a trial of 2 or 3 violins at a time in your home. Most shops will send a shipping return label, and allow you to try the instrument for a week. This usually provides time for the student to use the instrument in their weekly lesson and have an evaluation with the teacher. Use the same process of elimination, and if you can’t find a good fit, return the instruments and ask for another batch. You only pay for what you keep.

Once you have found your musical match, GO PRACTICE!

...Or how to practice when you are sad. Or angry. Or just generally not feeling it.

For me at least, it's hard to look at, let alone pick up and play, my violin when I am anything other than ecstatic, focused, and ready to work. The problem is, if that goes on long enough, you end up really really... rusty. Your bow feels heavy in your arm, your violin isn't setting on your shoulder the right way, the strings feel tight, and your left hand doesn't seem to remember what to do. Trust me, I have been there. And recently- with a major life change, including moving to a new house, and the recent events in my city, it's been hard to feel ready to make music.

But as musicians, it's our responsibility. Leonard Bernstein put it best: "This will be our reply to violence: to make music more intensely, more beautifully, more devotedly than ever before."

So how do you do it?

1. Don't put too much pressure on yourself. The act of playing in and of itself is a victory. Celebrate that!
2. STILL start with your scales. Don't pick B-flat major. Or minors. Just the easy stuff- D Major, G Major, C Major. Things you know. Things you don't have to think about too much. It's ok to zone out a little. When you're ready, think about your posture and intonation. If you normally do 3 octaves, play 2. If you are having a hard time, play 1. Just play. Get warmed up.
3. Pick a favorite piece. One that you love to play and can play well. Play it. Or at least the parts you know. Play it once. Or twice. As much as you feel- that's the key. I like Wolfhart's Book 1. Sometimes I go straight through. Sometimes I skip around. The key is to pick something that will keep you mentally engaged without overworking your brain.
4. Pick another. Go with your gut. What do you feel like doing next? Is it in the same book? Or a loose sheet. (Side note: don't worry about cleaning up your space. I generally just throw music on the floor as I go and end up with piles and stacks in all directions. It's ok to clean up at the end.) Keep going! Think about how you are feeling a what piece will help get that out. Need to work out frustration? Energy to burn? I recommend Vivaldi Concerto in G.
5. Repeat Steps 3 and 4. Sometimes 20 minutes is good. Sometimes an hour or two will pass. The point is that you're enjoying music and maintaining the mechanics without over-working your brain and without mentally overdoing it by really working on a required piece.

I have never been sad after I finished playing. I have never regretted the time that I have spent playing. Playing the violin, no matter the circumstances, has always uplifted me.

​Happy playing!