Embedded Files
Holding the bow is one of the most challenging parts of playing a stringed instrument. Many teachers hold off on teaching the bow until January or February just because or the difficult nature of the bow. We choose to wait to learn "real songs" until we can properly play with a good bow hold, because playing with the bow is the sound our students really want to hear. The trade-off is we spend a couple extra weeks playing just open strings. Below, review first how to hold your bow and the bow hold exercises. For the first week, just do windshield wipers and elevator. Then, Mr. Williams will show you how to practice Pg. 6 & 7 in your String Basics Book.
Violin & Viola Bow Hold & Exercises
Violin & Viola Bow Hold & Exercises
Thumb on the Tip
Thumb on the Tip
Place your thumb tip in front of the frog. Keep your thumb curved.
First on the Grip
First on the Grip
Lean the first finger over, touching the side of your knuckle to the middle of the bow grip.
Middle on the Frog
Middle on the Frog
Place the pad of your middle 2 fingers over the stick and rest them in the middle of the frog.
Pinky on the Log
Pinky on the Log
Place your pinky tip on the end of the stick (not the screw). Keep your pinky curved.
Put it all together
Put it all together
Mr. Williams walks you through the 4 step process seen above.
Bow Exercises
Bow Exercises
Practice these 4 bow exercises every day for the first 8 weeks of playing with your bow. They help your muscles to develop and strengthen to make this awkward feeling bow hold more natural and fluent.
Windshield Wipers
Elevator
Spider Crawl (Wait until next week)
Pinky Push-ups (Wait until next week)
`Cello Bow Hold & Exercises
`Cello Bow Hold & Exercises
Thumb on the Tip
Thumb on the Tip
Place your thumb tip in front of the frog. Keep your thumb curved.
Connect the Dots
Connect the Dots
Connect the ring finger dot to the thumb dot. The dot's won't actually touch since the bow stick is in the way, but they should be in line with each other.
Flop the Fingers
Flop the Fingers
Flop the remaining fingers over the bow stick. The fingers should rest on the bow lines on the first, middle, and pinky fingers.
Turn the Bow Up
Turn the Bow Up
Once you've created your bow hold, turn the bow stick, tip up to reduce the bow weight on your pinky, preventing the pinky from failing. When you do this, check that your thumb is also still curved.
Put it All Together
Put it All Together
Mr. Williams shows you how to put together the 4 above steps to create your `cello bow hold.
Bow Exercises (`Cello)
Bow Exercises (`Cello)
Practice these 3 bow exercises every day for the first 8 weeks of playing with your bow. They help your muscles to develop and strengthen to make this awkward feeling bow hold more natural and fluent.
Half Windshield Wiper
Elevator
The Lasso
Bass Bow Hold & Exercises
Bass Bow Hold & Exercises
Professor Sharp shows you how to hold the German Bow Hold and several warmup exercises to get comfortable holding your bow.
String Basics - Pg 6 & 7
String Basics - Pg 6 & 7
This week we are combining the different notes and rhythms that were introduced on pages 4 & 5 in your Strings Basics book. You will also be adding the repeats symbol. Mr. Williams will also briefly show you how to use the IPS app. For more information on repeats and the IPS app, see the videos listed below.
Repeats
Repeats
MusicTheoryGuy discusses how to perform a whole section repeat, as you will see in #13 (and others) on page 6 of your Strings Basics Book
Kjos Interactive Practice Studio
Kjos Interactive Practice Studio
Mr. Williams discusses how to use the IPS app to improve your practicing and have more fun practicing at the same time!
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