Nice tips! Especially about curve and balance. It helped me a lot to understand some struggles of mine and it will be my reference when I actually begin to play enough to realize the need of a better bow. Thank you, Ms. Sparrow!
I'm buying my daughter her first bow (she's using my fist violin) and when I was a student and it was time for me to make the decision on my full size violin / bow my teacher had me choose blind. She played each violin and bow in different combinations until I picked my favorite of each them,then I played them. She wanted me to pick my set based in sound and feel rather than look or lable. And it was a very special experience and I have a special 💓 love for my violin and bow! Thanks for the video it has great information 👍
Hello Alison - 12:50 That bow you described is one similar to the one that came with my $39 (US) violin set I purchased on Amazon in October of 2017. Along with the violin and bow, it came with the case, an extra set of standard issue steel strings, chromatic digital tuner, and a small cake of rosin. I play that cheap violin on average of twice a week for at least two hours at a time. The violin astonishingly stays in tune, and I have had absolutely no problem with the bow. The balance and weight and the feel of the bow works for me. I guess one person’s “piece of trash” is another person’s workable bow. 😉 However, in all fairness to you, you did give a disclaimer when you said, “But at the end of the day, the decision is yours. And folks this is exactly why I can’t tell you which bow to choose.” BTW: When I’m not playing that cheap violin…it does double duty as a decorative wall hanger. 😊 ♫ 🎻
Thats not quite what im talking about as you are comparing a very cheap bow to using a proper bow. Since you have no frame of reference, the bow that feels fine to you now, isnt and wont be. I can absolutely 100% guarantee that the bow you have is terrible, but until you got a bunch of bows at say $100+ each, you wouldn't know this.
@@TheOnlineViolinTutor Hello Alison - I'm not here to be contentious. I do enjoy your videos. But since I'll never acquire a bunch of bows at $100 or more, I'll never know. 😉 ♫ 🎻
Great advice! The chance to take a few home to try enables you to switch back and forth every minute or so until you find there's one you want to keep playing with. Don't neglect looking at older bows, too. Sometimes it's possible to get a better bow for less money this way. (Also, where they are made is not particularly important; there are craftsmen and hacks everywhere.)
In my early teens I bought a horrible guitar with 13 mm string height, because it was blue. It hindered my progress magnificantly and long term. Lesson learned. Currently I am choosing a bow. I have an 18th century Italian viola d'amore which was made from 16th treble viol, also Italian. Good luck, to myself, at that.
Do you have any thoughts on using a 3/4 bow with a full size instrument? I am 5’5” and realize a full size bow is normal for me. I am mostly a beginner still. The full size simply causes me more aches to try to get to the tip and is a little harder to control.
Thank you allison after i saw this video i found i have to go to buy pernambuco bow instead of fiber carbon one special that are both is the same price
I got a bow with a pawn shop violin which I believe is permabuco, and I think it's a cello bow. It's by far the sweetest bow I've ever played 😀 Other than the strange appearance of a cello bow playing violin, is there a reason not to use it?
Why would you play the violin with a cello bow? They are shorter for a start? In my (honest) opinion, you will probably end up trying to compensate for inadequacies in your technique. Find a heavier (or simply better) violin bow and learn to control it. You could even find a viola bow which are slightly heavier. I just feel that using a cello bow will cause more issues with violin techniques down the line. I just see no positives or good reasons to use a cello bow in any way.
@@TheOnlineViolinTutor Sorry, I did give the impression that was my only bow 😀 I play mostly with a Coda Prodigy carbon fiber, or a Fiddlerman carbon fiber. I really don't see any concern of ruining my technique. The cello bow I got by accident is a much nicer bow, overall, and the tone it produces is incredibly nicer than any bow I've used 😀
Thank you for an interesting and useful video. However, I have 2 questions, if you don't mind: Surely the laws of Physics says that if we hold the bow horizontal at the frog then it will fall down because of the weight of the bow due to the length of the bow? This leads into the 2nd question: Whilst I think it was a good idea to show us an example of a "bad" bow, wouldn't it have been a good idea to show us your "good" bow. I bought my 1st bow (pernambuco, 62grammes, centre of gravity 256mm) 5 years ago by the "eanie, meanie, minie, mo" method. When I try holding it horizontally it nearly breaks my little finger! I really need to understand !!
1. yes - but there should not be extreme tension on your little finger. If there is, then its not weighted well. 2. This was a bad bow - as I do believe I may have mentioned it wasnt bent in the correct position.
Would you recommend buying kinda cheap bows vs getting rehairs done on a quality bow? I live in a very rural area and unfortunately don’t have access to violin shops without driving for hours. I’m debating for a future plan whether to buy a really good bow or just fairly cheap ones and just replace once the hairs get in bad shape. I’m a beginner so don’t have a reference of quality bows and the ones I have are still new. One came with the outfit and the other is a carbon fiber one with synthetic hair (please don’t throw tomatoes 🍅, I got it just for giggles and it seems to sound decent for now.)
It’s a false economy to buy a cheap bow and rehair it with top end blue Mongolian hand picked horse hair! It’s the wood, not the hair. If you have a good bow, then you will have good hair.
The Online Piano and Violin Tutor Thanks for the reply! One more question, what are your personal opinions on black haired bows? Are they just a gimmick?
@@MsStarFoxxie Its horse hair that has not been 'bleached; meaning it will be coarser - which is not desirable for violins. Double basses play with black haired bows as they need the grip, but violins dont. I have not played on one, but I would make the assumption that they will sound and feel coarse and rough.
Hi I am an adult beginner and I would like to give some constructive feedback. It's great that you put out teaching video's but I would appreciate you get to the point quicker :) This video is 21 minutes and that's very long. Or maybe divide your video in a few things we have to pay attention to. Thank you 🙏 😊
I have the bow my acoustic/electric violin came with and a carbon fiber bow I bought off eBay for around $40. I might get a third one that's less than $100; I am not wealthy.
Can you tell me what are differences between mendini 200 vs 300 vs 400. I saw your reviews and still dont know. I would like to buy my 1st violin. I am completely beginner. Can you help?
Not much. I would buy something better really. The MVs are ok and serve a purpose, but you will need and want to upgrade pretty soon if you like the violin. That will cost you more in the long run. I recently reviewed the set of Fiddlerman violins which are all fantastic: bit.ly/2TCgWk1
It would be helpful if everyone didn't stray off into inobtanium. I would say that an inexpensive carbon fiber bow would be better than an inexpensive brazilwood bow, but there are probably exceptions.
How should I really buy my violin if my bow is so horrible?? I have this problem though my bow and violin both are really cheap and not really good so I want to upgrade, but I never understood how I can buy my new violin while my bow it terribly bad.....
I have a 4/4 Mendini 300 violin and bow, the violin is okay for student grade, but I think there's something wrong with the bow. When I tighten it, the hairs touch the middle of the wood instead of being a few inches away from it. Some of the hairs have snapped, even though I've stored it in the case and made sure to loosen it before putting it back. Do you think I just have a low quality violin?
Yes, you have a poor quality violin and bow. May be time to upgrade if you plan on carrying on with the violin. Poor tools will result in hindered and poor learning.
I have the Mendini 500 as my first violin. I changed the strings, tailpiece, and whittled the bridge so now I really like my cheap violin. So MV400/500 is a violin I'm proud to own and play. I recommend the Fiddlershop carbon fiber bow for $60. Going from a cheap wood bow to CF is an absolute shock, as it's so light and so smooth in bowing.
Nice tips! Especially about curve and balance. It helped me a lot to understand some struggles of mine and it will be my reference when I actually begin to play enough to realize the need of a better bow. Thank you, Ms. Sparrow!
Such a useful video! I am a cellist but almost all of these tips go for cello bows as well. Thanks for making the video
I'm buying my daughter her first bow (she's using my fist violin) and when I was a student and it was time for me to make the decision on my full size violin / bow my teacher had me choose blind. She played each violin and bow in different combinations until I picked my favorite of each them,then I played them. She wanted me to pick my set based in sound and feel rather than look or lable. And it was a very special experience and I have a special 💓 love for my violin and bow! Thanks for the video it has great information 👍
I actually just made a video last week on picking out some bows for an overseas online student and I picked blind for that reason.
Perfect! I was looking for a bow but had no idea how to get one
Thanks for the updated version version of this, as well as everything you've done here over the years :3
Was getting ready to ask. But ran into this video. Let me take a listen
Very helpful indeed! Packs all the necessary information in the best possible way. Gonna re-watch this tomorrow just before I buy a new bow.
I'm going to a music shop this weekend to find a better bow. Thank you Alison!
Hello Alison - 12:50 That bow you described is one similar to the one that came with my $39 (US) violin set I purchased on Amazon in October of 2017. Along with the violin and bow, it came with the case, an extra set of standard issue steel strings, chromatic digital tuner, and a small cake of rosin. I play that cheap violin on average of twice a week for at least two hours at a time. The violin astonishingly stays in tune, and I have had absolutely no problem with the bow. The balance and weight and the feel of the bow works for me. I guess one person’s “piece of trash” is another person’s workable bow. 😉 However, in all fairness to you, you did give a disclaimer when you said, “But at the end of the day, the decision is yours. And folks this is exactly why I can’t tell you which bow to choose.” BTW: When I’m not playing that cheap violin…it does double duty as a decorative wall hanger. 😊 ♫ 🎻
Thats not quite what im talking about as you are comparing a very cheap bow to using a proper bow.
Since you have no frame of reference, the bow that feels fine to you now, isnt and wont be.
I can absolutely 100% guarantee that the bow you have is terrible, but until you got a bunch of bows at say $100+ each, you wouldn't know this.
@@TheOnlineViolinTutor Hello Alison - I'm not here to be contentious. I do enjoy your videos. But since I'll never acquire a bunch of bows at $100 or more, I'll never know. 😉 ♫ 🎻
Thank you for freely providing these videos. Very timely for me.
Very helpful! Thank you!
Great advice! The chance to take a few home to try enables you to switch back and forth every minute or so until you find there's one you want to keep playing with. Don't neglect looking at older bows, too. Sometimes it's possible to get a better bow for less money this way. (Also, where they are made is not particularly important; there are craftsmen and hacks everywhere.)
Thank you so much, I'm looking for a new bow and this video is absolutely helpful
Wow good video, it’s good to know that I should kinda just keep my cheap bow until I get better at the violin.
This video was so helpful! Thank you, I learnt loads
Very helpful. Thank you.
Wow, Allison...You look marvelous!!!
Perfect timing! This has been a great help! Thank you
Thank you so much !!! Your videos are super helpful
In my early teens I bought a horrible guitar with 13 mm string height, because it was blue. It hindered my progress magnificantly and long term. Lesson learned. Currently I am choosing a bow. I have an 18th century Italian viola d'amore which was made from 16th treble viol, also Italian. Good luck, to myself, at that.
Thank you for your video. As per pernambuco bows, could I know if they are made from pernambuco or not? Thank you.
Yes, it is a long video; however, the information is very helpful, thanks.
Thank you Alison, very helpful and great info!
Your videos are very helpful!! 👍🙏 Thank you
Great information, Allison.
This was very helpful, Thank you!
Do you have any thoughts on using a 3/4 bow with a full size instrument? I am 5’5” and realize a full size bow is normal for me. I am mostly a beginner still. The full size simply causes me more aches to try to get to the tip and is a little harder to control.
Or I don’t know.. perhaps it doesn’t cause me aches so much (practicing now) I think the main issue is that I feel I have better control with the 3/4
Thank you allison after i saw this video i found i have to go to buy pernambuco bow instead of fiber carbon one special that are both is the same price
Hai, could you please make a video on setting up a violin bridge? please elaborate the bridge position, gap between strings, etc...
I did that video years ago. Its a video on 'how to set up your violin' or something similar to that title.
14:31 WOW thats so cool
Good stuff, thanks again!
G.
Great
What if a person has never picked up a violin before, would it matter what bow he,she purchase?
I got a bow with a pawn shop violin which I believe is permabuco, and I think it's a cello bow. It's by far the sweetest bow I've ever played 😀 Other than the strange appearance of a cello bow playing violin, is there a reason not to use it?
Why would you play the violin with a cello bow? They are shorter for a start?
In my (honest) opinion, you will probably end up trying to compensate for inadequacies in your technique. Find a heavier (or simply better) violin bow and learn to control it.
You could even find a viola bow which are slightly heavier.
I just feel that using a cello bow will cause more issues with violin techniques down the line. I just see no positives or good reasons to use a cello bow in any way.
@@TheOnlineViolinTutor Sorry, I did give the impression that was my only bow 😀 I play mostly with a Coda Prodigy carbon fiber, or a Fiddlerman carbon fiber. I really don't see any concern of ruining my technique. The cello bow I got by accident is a much nicer bow, overall, and the tone it produces is incredibly nicer than any bow I've used 😀
Thank you for an interesting and useful video. However, I have 2 questions, if you don't mind: Surely the laws of Physics says that if we hold the bow horizontal at the frog then it will fall down because of the weight of the bow due to the length of the bow? This leads into the 2nd question: Whilst I think it was a good idea to show us an example of a "bad" bow, wouldn't it have been a good idea to show us your "good" bow.
I bought my 1st bow (pernambuco, 62grammes, centre of gravity 256mm) 5 years ago by the "eanie, meanie, minie, mo" method. When I try holding it horizontally it nearly breaks my little finger! I really need to understand !!
1. yes - but there should not be extreme tension on your little finger. If there is, then its not weighted well.
2. This was a bad bow - as I do believe I may have mentioned it wasnt bent in the correct position.
Would you recommend buying kinda cheap bows vs getting rehairs done on a quality bow? I live in a very rural area and unfortunately don’t have access to violin shops without driving for hours. I’m debating for a future plan whether to buy a really good bow or just fairly cheap ones and just replace once the hairs get in bad shape. I’m a beginner so don’t have a reference of quality bows and the ones I have are still new.
One came with the outfit and the other is a carbon fiber one with synthetic hair (please don’t throw tomatoes 🍅, I got it just for giggles and it seems to sound decent for now.)
It’s a false economy to buy a cheap bow and rehair it with top end blue Mongolian hand picked horse hair!
It’s the wood, not the hair.
If you have a good bow, then you will have good hair.
The Online Piano and Violin Tutor Thanks for the reply! One more question, what are your personal opinions on black haired bows? Are they just a gimmick?
@@MsStarFoxxie Its horse hair that has not been 'bleached; meaning it will be coarser - which is not desirable for violins. Double basses play with black haired bows as they need the grip, but violins dont.
I have not played on one, but I would make the assumption that they will sound and feel coarse and rough.
What about sandalwood? I seen on Fiddlershop they have sandalwood bows and I can't seem to find much about them.
Best to ask the Fiddlerman.
Until a bit of research, I thought you could easily replace a bow's hair like changing a string but apparently not.
Hi I am an adult beginner and I would like to give some constructive feedback. It's great that you put out teaching video's but I would appreciate you get to the point quicker :) This video is 21 minutes and that's very long. Or maybe divide your video in a few things we have to pay attention to. Thank you 🙏 😊
I have the bow my acoustic/electric violin came with and a carbon fiber bow I bought off eBay for around $40. I might get a third one that's less than $100; I am not wealthy.
Can you tell me what are differences between mendini 200 vs 300 vs 400. I saw your reviews and still dont know. I would like to buy my 1st violin. I am completely beginner. Can you help?
Not much. I would buy something better really. The MVs are ok and serve a purpose, but you will need and want to upgrade pretty soon if you like the violin.
That will cost you more in the long run.
I recently reviewed the set of Fiddlerman violins which are all fantastic: bit.ly/2TCgWk1
Hi, I would like some opinion, my violin bow (hair) loosen while playing/practice for an hour or so, is this something normal?
No - perhaps the hairs are loose in the ferrel. Depending on how bad the problem is, it might need fixing or a new bow.
@@TheOnlineViolinTutor
Thanks so much for the reply, I will get it checked!
u r amazing ... make more anime songs plz ^^
It would be helpful if everyone didn't stray off into inobtanium. I would say that an inexpensive carbon fiber bow would be better than an inexpensive brazilwood bow, but there are probably exceptions.
👍
Alison can the background music it’s distracting and not necessary!🙏
Apologies for that. This video is many years old now, so sadly I cant change that, but music isnt on the majority of my videos - only a small handful.
❤❤
How should I really buy my violin if my bow is so horrible?? I have this problem though my bow and violin both are really cheap and not really good so I want to upgrade, but I never understood how I can buy my new violin while my bow it terribly bad.....
You can upgrade your bow at a later date, but yes, there is no point having a much better violin and a poor bow.
@@TheOnlineViolinTutor thanks for your help.❤️❤️
We have violin class
I have a 4/4 Mendini 300 violin and bow, the violin is okay for student grade, but I think there's something wrong with the bow. When I tighten it, the hairs touch the middle of the wood instead of being a few inches away from it. Some of the hairs have snapped, even though I've stored it in the case and made sure to loosen it before putting it back. Do you think I just have a low quality violin?
Yes, you have a poor quality violin and bow. May be time to upgrade if you plan on carrying on with the violin. Poor tools will result in hindered and poor learning.
I have the Mendini 500 as my first violin. I changed the strings, tailpiece, and whittled the bridge so now I really like my cheap violin. So MV400/500 is a violin I'm proud to own and play.
I recommend the Fiddlershop carbon fiber bow for $60. Going from a cheap wood bow to CF is an absolute shock, as it's so light and so smooth in bowing.
Music stores everywhere appreciate the do not practice there disclaimer