Incorrect

Correct

• Bow Hold Introduction
• Steps in Forming the Shape of the Bow Hand
• Forming the Bow Hold Using a Pencil
• Bow Hold Precursor Review
• Problem No. 1 - Hyperextended Thumb
• Problem No. 2 - Tips of Fingers Touching Pencil
• Forming the Bow Hold Steps 1 & 2
• Forming the Bow Hold Step Three
• Forming the Bow Hold Step Four
• Forming the Bow Hold Step Five
• Forming the Bow Hold Summary - Violin and Viola
• Bow Hold Movie
• Incorrect Bow Holds and Their Causes
• Incorrect Bow Hold No. 2
• Incorrect Bow Hold No. 3
• Incorrect Bow Hold No. 4
• Bow Hold for Cello and Bass
• Common Problems for Cello and Bass Bow Hold
• Thumb Problems for Cello and Bass Bow Hold
• Double Bass German Bow Hold
• Conclusion on Bow Hold

Problem No. 2 - Tips of Fingers Touching Pencil

Watch for the following problem when students are forming the bowhold with the pencil:

The tips of the fingers should NOT touch the stick. This will result in a loss of bow control.

The first joints of the middle and ring fingers should touch the stick. The index finger should touch the stick at the second joint (or between the first and second joints, as shown). Some teachers advocate the index finger touching at the first joint.

One way to help students is to draw a contact point line on their fingers to remind them where to touch their fingers to the stick.

POSTURE • INSTRUMENT SIZING • INSTRUMENT POSITION

BOW HOLD • BOW STROKE • INTERMEDIATE RIGHT HAND SKILLS • ADVANCED RIGHT HAND SKILLS

LEFT HAND POSITION • SHIFTING • VIBRATO • ADVANCED LEFT HAND SKILLS