How to choose a Violin Bow?

The violin bow is an essential tool for the violin, and plays a major role of producing beautiful sounds and music. When a violin is purchased, the bow will usually be included in the kit. However, that may not be a bow of good quality. Here are some tips to choosing a good bow, and understand what makes a good quality bow.

A Violin Bow

While we look at different parts of the bow, the two most important parts are the wood and the bow hair.

The Wood:

Pernambuco wood has been used for many good quality bows. They are heavier and more durable compared to other woods, and usually cost more due to the scarcity of the wood.

Carbon fiber bows have become more popular in recent years, as Pernambuco wood is becoming scarce. Many feel their bows work just as well as Pernambuco bows. They are made of heavy-duty, graded carbon fiber usually bonded with resin. They are durable, and affordable too.

Brazilwood and fiberglass bows are commonly used by beginners and students players. They are ideal for learners, and are quite resistant to wear and tear. They cost inexpensively, and readily available.

Bow Hair:

Bow hair quality plays a crucial role in the quality of sound produced. For years, white horse hair has been used, and is still considered the best material of bow hair. After playing over a period of time, bow hair stretches and loses its ability to hold rosin. The bow then needs to be rehaired, to get back its quality.

The Qualities of a Good Bow

In selecting a good bow, price should not be the sole determining factor. An expensive bow doesn't necessarily means a good quality bow. Sound quality and music may improve with a good bow, but other aspects such as the violin, the player's skills, and the environment may come into play too.

Below are the few factors we have to look into too...

• A good bow will cling onto the string, and vibrate with it when played. With these abilities, off-the-string strokes like spiccato and richochet, and on-the-string strokes like legato and detache, will be better and clearer. On the other hand, a poor quality bow will slip and skate on the string, and will not settle easily on the string.

• A good violin bow must have a correct balance of weight. It should not feel too heavy at the frog, nor too light at its tip. If the tip is too light, more energy will be needed to when playing near the upper part of the bow. If the frog is too heavy, it will be hard to control, and tends to tremble when doing an up-bow.
• Straightness in a violin bow is important too. After playing for a long period of time, the bow may bend to the right, by looking down the shaft from the frog. When the bow is crooked, off-the-string strokes will be rough, and uneasy to control. Squeaks and noises will occur frequently too.

• A bow with camber curves naturally in the middle towards the hair. This is important as it gives the necessary strength for playing. When a bow is not loosened when put away, after a period of time, it will lose the camber. This will weaken the bow too.

What determines the quality and price of a bow?

• While evaluating a violin bow, you have to look at its condition. The condition of a bow is more important than the violin. When a bow is damaged or broken, it loses almost 90% of its value, even if the bow has been fixed. As epoxy and superior glues available nowadays, cracks on bows can be fixed, and will look and play as good as new. You may consider getting a fine violin bow which has been fixed, at a lower price, if the new one is too expensive.

• Let's look the age of the bow too. Generally, an older bow will sound better than a new one, but this is provided that the old bow has been treated well, and kept in good condition.

• The French are famously known for their violin bows, as the Italians are for their violins. Hence, bows made by French bowmakers are highly priced and tend to cost more than bows from countries like Germany and the United States. Other than French bows, there are other good quality bows that can perform just as well, and yet cost much lesser.

• Some bows are delicately designed, beautifully decorated, and some have also been inserted with precious metals. This exquisite decorations and ornaments raise the price of the bow, but that does not necessarily means that the bow can produce beautiful music too. Pick up the bow, and experience the playing quality of it, before purchasing it. Try not to choose a bow based on the unique designs only, if you are looking for sound quality.

Wow. It seems like choosing a good and suitable violin bow can be a tiring process. However, let's look at the brighter side. A fine violin bow that suits your violin and your playing style will give you great satisfaction when your desired tune is played.

Sometimes, a violinist is irritated by the tune he is playing, and citing the strings or the instrument as the cause of it, when it is actually due to the bow.

Got your desired violin bow? Next, you need to keep its quality through proper care and maintenance. Learn how you can take care of your violin bow and the methods to clean it too.