Cello Teacher's Friend

Posted on May 17, 2008 by Abigail McHugh-Grifa in Bow Angle - Bow Hold/Bow Arm

Set the student’s bow directly on top of the bridge and have the student ride the bridge from string to string by rocking back and forth on the bridge without pulling the bow horizontally (stay in one spot on the bow). Ask the student to pay attention to the path the arm travels to do this. Watch to be sure that the student is keeping the bridge directly in the center of the bow hair, and that the stick maintains the same angle to the hair on all strings (i.e. not flopping around). Do this at all points in the bow, noticing that smaller muscles (fingers, wrist) can be used to change strings at the frog, whereas bigger muscles will be used at the tip.