a shaped stick with horsehair or other material stretched between its ends, which is used to stroke the string and create sound
28
votes
3answers
2k views
Why are violin bows longer than viola bows, than cello bows, than double-bass bows ?
What is the logic behind this ?
As the larger instruments have larger gaps between the strings, I would have expected a larger bow to accomodate more easily continuous bowing while changing strings.
14
votes
1answer
389 views
How does one change bow hair?
What are the steps to follow to unmount the hair from a bow and install a new set ?
What kind of tools and products do you need beside a new set of bow hair ?
How do you measure/adjust the length ...
9
votes
2answers
128 views
Are there reasons to choose between a round-section or an octogonal-section bow?
The initial part of a violin, viola, or cello bow in modern models is always octogonal, but
the rest of the stick can be either of round section or octogonal-faceted.
Is it simply a different ...
8
votes
3answers
638 views
What is the difference between 'martelé and 'détaché' bowing?
As the title asks, I wish it could be clear to me. Can someone give me a good characterization? Do you produce them differently on a cello than on a violin or viola?
7
votes
1answer
224 views
Why is (stiffness/speed of sound-travel of the wood) important for a bow?
High-end violin bows have been made for centuries out of permanbouc (a now rare and endangered brasilian wood) or equivalent woods and now synthetic material. Permambouc wood is praised for is ...
7
votes
2answers
996 views
How to remove all traces of rosin from a bow ?
I saw once the case of a beginner violinist that turned out to be allergic to a specific type of rosin that came with his student violin outfit. Another hypoallergenic rosin was purchased and they ...
5
votes
2answers
116 views
What purpose does adjusting the violin bow tension serve?
A violin bow has a screw that allows you to adjust the hairs' tension. Like a tuning peg so to speak.
When I just got mine, I didn't pay attention to it. I worked with the tuning pegs because I knew ...
2
votes
0answers
68 views
Tips for bowing in the Spiccato-esque part of Tchaikovsky's Pezzo Capriccioso on the cello?
See this video, about three minutes in, for details:
...
