HOW TO CHOOSE A VIOLIN BOW

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GUIDELINES WHILE CHOOSING A BOW

1. Start with an open mind and do not compare with your old bow. It is possible that your old bow was not so great, but you got used to it. It is also possible that you might discover you like playing more with bows that have different characteristics that the previous one.

2. Choose a high quality Pernambuco bow, whenever possible, but have an open mind to try some other bows, such as carbon bows, for example. The research always advances and you might be surprised to find out that there are also high quality carbon bows that create articulation and resonance of a fine Pernambuco bow and that might be matching your instrument better. Pernambuco bows have higher resilience and do not break so easily.

3. Make sure the stick of the bow is not too week. The bow can be light but strong at the same time. The stick is the most important in a bow, therefore if you are considering purchasing an old bow that is damaged, bear in mind that the frog, etc., can be fixed, and get the bow for the stick if it is great.

4. Do not be too fixated on the weight of the bow, rather pay attention to its balance. The balance is one of the most important aspects while choosing a bow. A fine balanced bow is both flexible and firm, it responds easily while at the same time shows some resistance.

5. Last but not least, the sound. It is very important you bring your own instrument while choosing a bow in order to find the right match. This process should come after one has selected the best bows for balance and comfort. You might fall in love right away with a specific bow for the sound, but if this does not happen, a good rule is to match a brilliant bow with a dark sounding instrument or a darker bow with a brilliant instrument.

Often customers come with their teachers or colleagues they trusts to get their opinion. This is a very important and reassuring part of the process. However, it is important to remember that in the end you will be the one playing it and that no one can know better than you what is the right bow for you and how comfortable you feel with it while playing. Trust yourself, and if you, the instrument and the bow are vibrating in harmony both in sound and in comfort.