Steps in Forming the Shape of the Bow Hand Practice this exercise before trying to hold the bow. 1) Remove tension by shaking out hand and by wiggling the thumb to release tension. 2) Form circle with hand. Ask students to pretend they are picking up an orange tennis ball. 3) Bend and Flex the Thumb. While thumb is bent, touch it to the middle and ring fingers at the first joint. Flex the thumb and these two fingers. 4) Wiggle the Index and Pinkie Fingers. Forming the Bow Hold Using a Pencil Hold the pencil with the left hand while forming the bow hold with the right hand. 1) Bend and flex the thumb. Touch THE TIP of the thumb to the pencil as shown. 2) Place the FIRST JOINT of the middle and ring fingers on top of the pencil as shown, opposed to the thumb. 3) Turn the pencil over so you can see thumb. Lay index finger on pencil next to middle finger. Continue to bend and flex the thumb. If the tip of the thumb is touching the pencil, pencil should roll back and forth . Flex and bend the fingers. Make a "Come here" type of gesture with the index finger. 4) Turn pencil back over. For violin and viola, tap little fingernail on the top of the pencil. Cello and Bass, place pinkie next to ring finger. Note the placement of the pinkie is next to ring finger. A curved and relaxed pinkie is essential for bow control and it must be taught at this stage.
Steps in Forming the Shape of the Bow HandPractice this exercise
before trying to hold the bow.1) Remove tension by shaking out hand
and by wiggling the thumb to release tension.2) Form circle with
hand. Ask students to pretend they are picking up an orange tennis
ball.3) Bend and Flex the Thumb.While thumb is bent, touch it to
the middle and ring fingers at the first joint. Flex the thumb and
these two fingers.4) Wiggle the Index and Pinkie Fingers.
Forming the Bow Hold Using a PencilHold the pencil with the left
hand while forming the bow hold with the right hand.1) Bend and
flex the thumb. Touch THE TIP of the thumb to the pencil as
shown.2)Place the FIRST JOINT of the middle and ring fingers on top
of the pencil as shown, opposed to the thumb.3) Turn the pencil
over so you can see thumb. Lay index finger on pencil next to
middle finger. Continue to bend and flex the thumb. If the tip of
the thumb is touching the pencil, pencil should roll back and forth
. Flex and bend the fingers. Make a "Come here" type of gesture
with the index finger.4) Turn pencil back over. For violin and
viola, tap little fingernail on the top of the pencil. Cello and
Bass, place pinkie next to ring finger. Note the placement of the
pinkie is next to ring finger.A curved and relaxed pinkie is
essential for bow control and it must be taught at this stage.
Forming the Bow Hold Summary- Violin and Viola1) Hold the bow at
the tip with the left hand.2) Bend and flex the thumb. Touch THE
TIP of the thumb to the stick of the bow as shown.3) Place the
FIRST JOINT of the middle and ring fingers on top of the bow as
shown, opposed to the thumb. Lay the second joint of the index
finger on bow next to middle finger. Tap little fingernail on the
top of the pencil. Note the placement of the pinkie is next to ring
finger.4) Turn the bow over so you can see thumb. Continue to bend
and flex the thumb. Roll the stick until the hair of the bow
touches the thumbnail. Flex and bend the fingers. Make a "Come
here" type of gesture with the index finger.5) Turn bow back over.
Repeat the steps several times.
