Well currently I just realized that my bow strokes on my violin are wrong compared to others because it doesn't go straight up and down it tends to curve off to the fingerboard and slide back down for some reason. Then I realized that I haven't been taught the proper bow strokes. So I was wondering if anyone can describe to me what are the proper techniques for bow strokes, or some videos that teach me, or basically any method that would help me on my bow strokes. Thank you!

Oh ok. For more control of your bow tilit your bow a LITTLE bit toward the fingerboard and try to use a full bow stroke. Use as much bow as you can!Also use your WRIST for staccato and use your pointer finger for dynamics. Increase pressure for a forte sound decrease for a piano sound. Also, use the part of your arm below your elbow not above to practice just play on each string on open strings,focusing on your bowing technique. I hope this helped...

Thanks Ame. Where should the elbow be? Is there a way or technique to practice the bow stroke using the forehand since the elbow should not be moving? Someone told me to try to put my elbow on the wall and start bowing. Does that work?

Thank you.

Try watching videos of professional violinists or violists and imitate what they do. Youtube could be a good place to start.

I've never heard of it but it starts with how well you hold the bow. Remember to curve all your fingers like holding a ball. Make sure your third, fourth and pinkie are tight and make sure the pinkie doesn't straighten out. The curvy pinky allows the in and out action of the bow balance. The index finger allows lefts to right.

The three principles to your arm while bowing is the "L","V" and "S" which is the 90, 45, and 10 degrees or your elbow. Have flexibilty in your wrist, knuckles and allow your whole arm to play with expression while making sure not to over do it and slide near the bridge or finger board.

Hopes this helps~

Thanks Ame. Where should the elbow be? Is there a way or technique to practice the bow stroke using the forehand since the elbow should not be moving? Someone told me to try to put my elbow on the wall and start bowing. Does that work?

Thank you.

I have never heard of that method hmmm.... how odd. I wouldn't recommend that because you might hit the walll and cause damage to it. Do you have a teacher? I would suggest using Bow-right if you don't. It costs about $15 at Shar and it should help. My friend used it for the same problem and it seemed to work. Here's the address to Shar www.sharmusic.com

Alot of people at school have the same problem as you.......I would recommend playing short things like scales, and watch your bow. When you notice it isn't straight, fix it. If you keep practicing that, eventually your bow will always stay straight. ^^ Practicing against a wall helps too, but be careful, because if you hit the wall really hard with your bow, your bow might break. @_@

Okay, first of all, try practicing in front of a mirror so that you can see yourself play.

Elbow level: The elbow should be at the same height/level as the wrist.

Bowing Straight: Make sure that you are not pulling the bow out to your side, but more of extending it out so that you arm is at a 45 degree angle with your body.

Oh, when going down bow, use the enitre arm until it makes a 90 degree angle, then use just your forearm, reverse for up bow, play until your arm makes a 90 degree angel then use your entire arm.

Make sure you look at a mirror while practicing, and also at the bows position on the violin, because playing straight should look slightly tilted.

Heres what my teacher taught me. I was told in order to keep your bow from curving off the strings you need to bend your wrist to make it stay straight. For example when you move the bow down you bend your wrist outward, or away from you. ( This brings your hand closer to you). An explanation thats easier to understand is use your wrist to bend your hand towards you when the bow is brought down. This keeps it straight. When the bow moves up you bend your hand away from you. One last thing make sure you move your wrist from side to side and not up and down otherwise this technique would be useless.