Violin Bow Care / Proper Daily Use & Maintenance

Do you do these things regularly to prevent damage to your bow? Keep a close watch and beware of daily habits that may harm your bow over time. Just a few tips.
Long-term String Instrument Care
Teaching Tips
What a beginner (and every violinist) needs to know
Damage Prevention
For more information on instrument care:
• How to Take Care of Yo...
• How to Take Care of Yo...

[@babyoda1973]

Dang answering questions I don't know I had

[@victoriamaddatu4197]

Thank you for touching on this subject. I’ve always wondered about the correct way to hold my bow while applying rosin & then how to hold it when I wipe it clean. I also like how you describe what to aim for when tightening the bow & how it depends on the type of music & style of playing. I wasn’t really aware of how much the music & style of playing determined how tight to make it … So maybe that’s why I was puzzled by how sometimes my bow sounded right & other times not quite right. It’s good to know there’s not just one setting (i.e., 8 turns to tighten every time). Instead, it all depends on a number of factors.

[@violindoctor2]

Thank you so much for sharing this - you're absolutely right. Also I realized I forgot to include the bounciness test...I think it may be in the other video, though, the more detailed video on violin and bow care. Yes, I'm constantly aware of the bow tension as I try to execute certain passages of my repertoire. Also, the temperature in the room sometimes does change as we play, and that will change the tension of the bow. Constant awareness is best, and everyone can cultivate it. Have a great day...

[@babyoda1973]

Sorry to bug but what your favorite brand of rosin do you recommend and why

[@violindoctor2]

Great question - my honest answer is that I have always intended to research this topic, but haven't yet. For many years, I have used Bernardel for every day use (currently I use it solely on my teaching bow) - my students use this as well. Will leave a link to Shar Music if you'd like to take a look. I have also been using Leatherwood on my performing bows. This is a bespoke rosin originating from Australia. I have not tried the blended recipes, but out of the two: crisp and supple, I prefer the crisp. I find the rosin dust is very fine, not too sticky, and never clumpy. It would entirely depend on your playing style and especially your climate as well as other factors. For me the first deal-breaker is if the rosin dust applies in clumps. I hope that helps. For beginners, I typically say the rosin is not as important (unless they are experiencing allergies) as the technique by which it's applied, frequency, keeping the instrument clean, etc. Thank you so much for starting this discussion. I do wish I could give you more specific advice, but I feel I need to discuss more with experts and luthiers before I have the knowledge I seek. Best to you.
www.sharmusic.com/products/bernardel-rosin-amber-for-violin-viola-cello?_pos=1&_sid=af4bacc96&_ss=r
www.sharmusic.com/products/leatherwood-violin-rosin-crisp-recipe_2?_pos=1&_sid=4f0ad5b1e&_ss=r

[@kur0iz]

is it just me, or is there something snoring in the background? 🤣

[@violindoctor2]

You're absolutely right (sorry!)...the culprit is right behind me in this video. If you'd like to see the source of the snoring, please view: czcams.com/video/LrPMpp1HvL8/video.html

[@kur0iz]

I was listening with headphones on and constantly turning around to my gf thinking it was her hahaha