String players: Bow-hold aids

Check this out:

Bow Hold Buddies at Things4Strings.com

I wasn't sure of this at first, but the more I think of it, the more I remember how difficult I found accomplishing a correct bow holding technique as a student; it was one of the most challenging aspects of playing early on, and it's very easy to develop bad habits with it. I wonder if this invention wouldn't be an excellent way to train students - and even remind more advanced players from time to time - of proper bow-holding technique.

Purists might consider this a "crutch" - such as applying strips of coloured tape on the fingerboard to serve as visual "frets" for students might be - yet somehow I like this idea.

What do you think? Are you in favour of or against such things? What might be the advantages/disadvantages of it?

You will find Results regarding the patented Things 4 Strings® bow hold accessories for beginning violin, viola and cello students from hundreds of private studio and classroom teachers, method book authors/editors, national and international string pedagogy leaders, young and adult students, and parents here.

Looks very comfortable, but my old teacher wouldn't agree on the use of that

I would have to try it myself to know, but right now I don't see any reason for not to use it

SYS65: This accessory is for beginners, to help speed them on their way, not seasoned players like yourself. :)

Hehe...I've been playing for 6 years, yet still my teacher has to tell me I'm holding the bow wrong... ;)

I'm all in favour of this, it's comfortable and would really help out - and in fact, I don't see why people would be fussed about visual frets (I certainly had them when I started off!!) TBH though, I find posture wayyy harder (bad habit's I'm afraid), is there anything to help with that?? :rolleyes:

Just as I learned that learning the bow hold quickly and effectively can be accomplished with an accessory, I have also come to view the violin hold -- which is what I am thinking you are meaning by "posture" -- as largely an equipment issue.

Here is an excellent site to learn about the importance and function and options of chin rests:

http://www.chinrests.com

and here is my favorite shoulder rest for the majority of my students:

http://www.cicaviolin.com/shres0for473.html

Best Wishes,

Ruth Brons

Inventor of Things 4 Stringsinstant bow hold accessories

www.things4strings.com

I'm not sure I like the idea really. I mean, for some students this could result in the reliance on that product instead. Neat idea though. My teacher -many years ago- would make exercises for us to learn how to hold the box correctly. I can't remember any of them though - it's been that long ago. :mellow:

for students ? ... but let's say a student has problems with the bow and he start using that thing, when he will stop using it ? and is he going to have the same problems than before ?

I've been watching the pictures over and over, and I think a student (or even a pro) get "used" to that and then for some reason has to play without it, will have less control than ever... (well that's the impression I got while seeing the pics)

Hmmm...I think the key to the trick of these bow-aids is to use them for a extremely short period of time, say no more than one year.

But as for the shoulder rest, I think it's just getting out of bad habits - I started off (like most violinists) with a pair of rubber bands and a washing sponge for a shoulder rest, which resulted in me having to semi crouch over to keep hold. Now I don't have to do that, but after 4 years of going so, I can't seem to kick the problem and not still move my head down :o

Any of you experienced any problems like that before??