I am constantly reminded to really be aware of my body when playing. It is essential to healthy playing. Incresing your physical awareness not only helps prevent tension and subsequent injuries, it opens up the sense of touch while playing to a deeper level.

An article called The Shaking Bow posted by <!– hr noshade — — — — — — — style=”font-size:78%;color:#116798;”&gt;Jennifer Bogart says,

The key essentials of good tone are as always, optimum arm weight, bow speed and placement between the bridge and fingerboard. In general when one is bouncing off the string, the armweight is being taken out of the string by an involuntary tightening of the bow hand fingers. The “monster hand” as I tell my students. In addition, because of the tightening of the hand, the elbow can become locked so that the bow is shortened. These are ideal conditions for staccato (firm hand and little bow). The problem is that in fixing it one can keep a tight hand and start bearing down on the strings, making the forced tone (bow pressure as opposed to arm weight).

Probably almost everyone has experienced this at one time or another. Instead of being frustrated or feeling anxious about it, DO SOMETHING! Go to this article and employ the techniques Jennifer talks about in your practice at home.

Always be aware of your physical body and its signals.

Click Here to Read the Entire Article
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Relaxation is the Key!
Remember, movement and flexibility will help eliminate rigidity and tension.

Without the bow:

1. Make a fist. Squeeze! Relax.

2. Straighten the fingers. Tense! Relax.

3. Form the “Bow Circle”
Tip of thumb meets the first joint of middle finger
Thumb and middle finger form a circle
All fingers curved and relaxed
Wrist and forearm straight, not bent

4. Pencil Bow Hold
Form the bow circle, then gently insert a pencil
Hand and fingers will form a 45º angle to the pencil
Thumb will be perpendicular, a “T” to the bow stick
Lightly tap the pinky. Pinky rests just inside.

1. Upside Down!

Useful Internet sites for Beginners from The String Pedagogy Notebook

Click on the links below to view descriptions and sample videos of the technique described. You will need a high speed internet connection to load the videos in a reasonable amount of time. If you don’t have quicktime, download it for free.

RIGHT HAND
Bow Hold with a pencil (Quicktime video)
-Stay relaxed, natural and curved!
Pencil Bow Hold

Forming the Bow hold at the frog (Silent Quicktime video)
-Also try this technique with a vertical bow, sliding the thumb down to the frog gently.
Forming the Bow Hold

Longer, Narrated Video of forming the bowhold. (Takes a few minutes to load)
-Pay special attention to the first half, then try it yourself near a mirror.
Narrated Video of forming the Bow Hold

LEFT HAND
Strumming and Tapping Exercises
-make sure you remain “relaxed in the shape”
Strum and Tap

Three Points of Contact
-CONTACT, not 3 Points of Squeezing! Tap the thumb, and make sure it is relaxed. Tap the fingers in a vertical motion from the base joint. Gently slide the whole hand up and down the neck to ensure the index finger is not pressing against the neck.
3 Points of Contact