Video on Development of Franco-Belgian Bow Hold

Video on Useful Right-Hand Markings

Video on Applebaum’s “Nine Steps for Teaching Bow Hold”

Video on Havas’ “Five Steps for Teaching Bow Hold”

Teaching bow hold includes:

  • The convenient/descriptive name of each finger
    • “Bent” thumb
    • “Hugging” middle finger
    • “Searching for Soul” ring finger
    • “Soft-guiding” index finger
    • “Curled” pinkie
    • “Wrapped” index finger
  • The role of each finger in bow hold
    • Thumb serves as the pivot point.
    • Thumb and middle finger hold the bow. Thumb also serves as a point of counter-pressure. 
    • Ring finger supports the hold and is responsible for manipulation of sounding point.
    • Index finger regulates the weight and traction on the string.
    • Pinkie regulates the balance of the bow on string.
  • The position of each finger:
    • Thumb is positioned at 45 degrees angle. Right upper corner of the thumb rests on the nut (“frog’s nose”) and the upper center part of the thumb rests on the bow stick. Shape of the thumb is considered to be a variable.
    • Middle finger is positioned right across the thumb and it touches the bow stick in the middle part of the middle digit. When performing “bow-hold steps” and to ensure the even distribution of the weight of four fingers, middle finger should be initially positioned more to its right side, close to the ring finger. 
    • Ring finger is positioned next to the middle finger. There should be a slight space between the middle finger and the ring finger. The ring finger should slightly point towards the bow-pearl (“bow eye”). 
    • Index finger is positioned at a slight distance from middle finger and is wrapped around the bow-stick on the inner side of the middle digit (close to the thumb). The exact position of the index finger on the bow-stick is considered to be a variable. 
    • Pinkie is positioned on the top side of the bow-frog octagon, more precisely on the line between the top side of the octagon and the side closer to player’s palm. The shape of pinkie is also considered to be a variable. 
  • Bow hold steps:
    • Applebaum’s “Nine Steps of Bow Hold”
    • Havas’ “Five Steps of Bow Hold”
  • Bow-hold exercises:
    • Beginning level playlist (2 videos)
      • Video on Beginning Bow Exercises
    •  Intermediate level playlist (4 videos)
      • Video on Intermediate Bow Exercises
    • Advanced level playlist (11 videos)
      • Video on Advanced Bow Exercises

Desired outcomes:

  • Bow is balanced among all fingers and thumb rather than held. 
  • Development of principle of “System of Springs”:  All joints, including finger joints, to be flexible and mailable.