Do this if your arm is too short to bow straight on the violin | Violin Lounge TV #526
5 Tips to bow straight on the violin even if you have short arms:
Do you feel your arm is too short for straight bowing on the violin?
Don’t worry! With these five tips you can bow straight:
#1 Lift the pinky
By lifting the pinky when bowing at the extreme tip, you have some extra space to finish the bow stroke.
#2 Don’t bow straight
Your bow changes with maybe be even smoother if you slant your bow a little bit. Read here what Itzhak Perlman has to say about it.
#3 Don’t use the whole bow
Some people consider getting a 7/8 or even 3/4 bow if they can’t bow at the extreme tip. Why? You’ll definitely limit your choice in bows. It’s no problem at all that you have a 4/4 full size bow, but just not use the last inch or so.
#4 Push your shoulder forward a bit
Pushing your shoulder forward will give you more space for straight bowing. It can help you reach that last inch.
#5 Hold your violin more centered
If you hold your violin all the way to the left, your arm will have to be very long in order to bow straight at the tip. Don’t hold your violin all the way in the middle, but find a comfy spot in between in which you can easily bow straight.
Let me know in the comments which straight bowing tip was most helpful to you!
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I am gonna try the arm suggestions but not just bowing but also for fingering the strings I have short fingers seen a suggestion that just may help with that as well
Wonderful, Jeff!
THANK YOU SO MUCH. YOUR TIPS ARE HELPFUL. I SOMETIMES GET FRUSTRATED AND THINK OF GIVING UP, PLAYING (NO MATTER HOW) IS GOOD THERAPY AND MAYBE SOMEDAY, I WILL ACTUALL GET TO USE IT.
YOUR BABIES ARE BEAUTIFUL!APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND ENERGY TO EXPLAIN AND SHARE YOUR WONDERFUL TALENTS!
Aw, you’re so welcome, Laurel!
Your videos are great-subscribed, I have felt my arm is short…though it is not really…I just get tense, thanks for these very helpful permission slips! I play celtic fiddle, my real instrument the piano but I love the violin, I never thought I could play it as I am a late learner- but it’s possible with a lot of hard work!
It’s definitely possible, Molly, happy playing!