Choosing A Violin Bow! How do I do it?

This is how I choose a violin bow and my advice on what to look for!

Here is the link to the rosin I constantly re-purchase:

[CatyFournier]

I finally know How Alison Choose my bow. For Everybody, Alison knew exactly the violin I had (CVN-700 for the last 4 years) And she's been giving me lesson for 5 years now so she knows my playing. I've been playing with the new bow for few month now. I really love it. And it's true: the more you pay the better quality you get and better the sound is. So thank's Alison for your help in providing me the best bow I will ever get. Still need to put the obligato string to have the best string upgrade.

[shield]

I started with an inexpensive carbon fiber bow and recently switched to a Holstein 3 Star bow and the difference is night and day. I couldn't believe how much better the Holstein felt in comparison, it's everything I wanted and more than I'll ever need. Thanks for the video.

[WEdHarris]

Thank You so much for this informative video! I currently own a very nice Edw. Herrmann Octagonal Pernambuco bow and an equally nice carbon fiber Coda bow and they are distinctly different. A couple of advantages I feel the carbon fiber has over any wooden bow is that it is not subjective to temperature or humidity and it is less prone to accidental breakage or damage. This may be something to consider contingent upon where one resides. Also, a carbon fiber bow may be a worthy candidate to seriously consider for a young child. Thank You for all you do! I've recently subscribed and I'm going through all your videos! They are inspirational, informative, and so very helpful! I am multi-instrumentalist, and I am self-taught on the violin/fiddle with a focus on Irish/Celtic music the past 30+ years. As with any musician, I am always striving to expand and improve and I am elated to have found your channel! I hope to enroll in one of your lesson programs!

[sarahfoley]

I love your channel it helps me and inspires me to do violin I just ordered my first ever one and I'm excited

[goatyachty]

Amazing video!! I’m so thankful all your videos!! I can’t believe I’m learning to play violin. I’ve been playing guitar for 13 years and I’ve always wanted to learn how to play violin! Thank you times a million! I recently bought a violin you did a review on!

[cinnalosasha]

I bought a Coda Bow a few months ago and I absolutely am in love with it. It was roughly 300$ and came with a 5 year warranty. I had trialed almost 6 bows by that point and i was so relieved to finally find “the one”

[orchestrasecrets]

I was seriously about to get a bow, and not sure which one to get for a reasonable price... and now I know!!

[TechCOSnr]

The thumbnail should’ve had the bow case glowing...

[Knallbart]

That is so lovely of you, choosing a bow for her. Very very nice. I've never bought a bow before, so seeing how you tested it was really good. 😊 thanks for sharing and teaching us! 😊

[gwdodd]

Terrific content and very helpful! Thanks for sharing this experience! And by the way, that shade of fingernail polish is lovely!

[mellissadalby]

(1) You play great!
(2) I like your tone and your touch.
Well done, teacher.

[kathleenlairscey]

This helps me to make a better decision, I ve been trying to replace the lightweight student bow that I have.

[melshioravor]

Alison, this video is really timely for me. Just arrived in Almaty to purchase a violin. Thanks

[icemonkeyfist]

it's was a very interesting video to watch so I watched it twice> I think your first instincts were correct. You didn't want to know what they cost so you wouldn't be influenced by the price. For the first two rounds you seemed to like the advancing Student bow the best from your comments (until you bounced the brazilwood one). Once you knew which one was which, you seemed to convince yourself to like the Dofler. That's why trying them blind matters if you can do it. People will seem to talk themselves into the one they think SHOULD be better. I am not sure the actual curve of the bow matters except aesthetically if the bow performs well. I have bows with slightly different bends and a good bowmaker will use the bend to fine tune the bend (or so I have heard) so they all perform well. If I were to guess, the Dofler is a similar weight to your personal bow so it felt more familiar.


remember, I never have even been in the same room as any of these bows, but from your reactions, it is almost like you changed 180 degrees once you knew what they were. when blind to the model, the Advancing student bow was really nice and the Doffler was meh, but once you knew the identity of both it flipped. Since they both were octagonal, as you said, you thought it WAS the Dofler.


also, in higher level bows (more costly than these), price does not mean as much. I bought two bows from a maker because they were really good before he got a big reputation. His bows were so good that he got a reputation and now his bows cost twice the price or more. I tried one (actually a few) of his new bows and they are slightly more refined visually, but they play essentially the same the first two I bought.


So, you likely picked the best bow for your student. I am sure that either is a step up and so much is subjective that who can really say. I just found it interesting enough to watch it again and it seemed to me your opinion changed once you knew which was which. I don't claim any special knowledge about bows, but I usually weigh my blind test higher, but I go with the bow that I won't regret later, because when you take it home, you will know which one it was. Once they are above the required standard of performance, it is the subjective things that help up be happy with our purchases anyway.
:)

[mazherabbas]

my teacher Alison is very beautiful, , and very talented, , always beautiful and evergreen

[christophertsiliacos]

Hello Allison. I currently use a Brazil wood Mongolian horsehair violin bow that I purchased new for $7.04 (US) on Amazon in 2015. And I've been using it ever since with no problems. The feel and weight of the bow is just fine with me. BTW: It now sells for $14.95 (US) on Amazon. 😖 🎻 🎶

[ronishastroud]

I love that she is posting this video because i am finally picking a violin and bow from a violin shop that i like. I am a bit conflicted on the two violins sadly one is deeper that cost $1000. And the other one is brighter sound that cost $1500. But i have a few days to test them all out. I hope i can make a choice.

[throngcleaver]

Just got back from a trip to the dump, (was getting rid of that old tweed jacket) and saw your video! Best one you've made today! Thanks, A! :D I'll send you a pic of the violin bow I picked out.

[seanconroy]

How did you get a Pernambuco bow for only $120 USD?? Brazilwood does not always mean Pernambuco. Lower end Pernambuco bows have a starting price of around $600 USD

[AG-mtxs]

I have been playing for about 6 weeks, and I can completely agree about the bounce on the brazilwood. I am about to buy a new bow myself because I hate the bows that came with my violin.