Transform Your Sound: Perfect Violin Bow Testing Tips!

Choosing the right violin bow is often a much more challenging task than choosing the right instrument. The bow should act as an almost subconscious extension of your arm and it can be close to impossible to put your thoughts and opinions into words.

That's why we've put together this guide on how to try violin bows. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned player, this guide will provide you with some useful tips and a step-by-step approach to trying out different bows. So, let's dive in and discover the key factors to consider, as well as some useful tips on how to find the perfect bow for you!

Much like with musical instruments, the best way to feel confident about your choice of bow is by trying as many as possible, even if you are not looking to buy one any time soon.

It is very easy to get accustomed with the weight and response of your current bow, making it very difficult to impartially evaluate anything that feels very different from what you are used to.

It also helps to have a clear idea of the different aspects that contribute to the sound and response of a particular bow, so that you can better understand what it is that you like and dislike about your particular bow, as well as any others you might be considering for purchase.

[Creationhorse]

The bow comparison at the end: I liked the 1st one. Nice and clear. Beautiful sound .

[pmichael]

I was allowed to borrow five bows to try and compare. I tried playing not knowing which I was using, but then sorting by preference (starting again each day for a week). A the end of the time, i found I had chosen the same one each day. Decision made. A big factor was that I could recognize the bows that were well-above my ability, but still chose one that would stretch me. Thank you!

[glenncbjones]

We all have different “ears” and nuances of perception. Women, for example, tend towards treble, and men towards bass. Younger ears like volume and intensity, older ears favor subtlety and poignance. Everyone likes fluidity and “magic!”

As for myself, I’d prefer to “arm” myself with the first bow I’m quite sure!

Very much enjoyed your playing and technique, especially your vibrato!

[paulhammer]

This was fascinating: the different bows all produced a distinctly unique tone. Also, you seemed to play each bow differently, as if each bow brought out something different in your playing. Thanks for this!

[theredflower]

Violin's world is soooo nice 😢😢😢😍😍 i hope one day i will be able to hold a violin and play a beautiful melody ❤️🙏🏼🥺

[jonhh]

Very well put ! Definitely a difference between the bows. I don’t know if I have a favorite but i think the second one caught more my attention with the violin you played. Very nice shop decor in the background.

[chrisebbesen]

Tha.nks your violin sounds wonderful. 2n bow over. All of. Them. ITS supple! Very helpful thanks

[talesfromthequick]

my brother has two FX Tourtes, I have two Peccattes and three Persoits, and my sister has a Voirin, a Sartory, a Thomachot, and an Espey. When we get together we have too much fun

[visualtrigger]

This was fantastic! I'd say the Peccatte workshop bow was the best. Then again, I prefer a warmer more rounded sound and I also play gut strings.

[finemasterviolins]

From listening to all the bows you played, my preference was the bow the said you were considering for yourself. Seems it does everything well and sounds beautiful and compliments the violin you were playing.
Which maker was this bow please ?

[HenJack-vlcb]

Hi, thank you for the wonderful video.
The first bow brought kind of masculinity of the tone of the instrument.The problem with such kind of bows sometimes is the harshness of the attacks, mostly in chords The second sounded quite the opposite-suppleness and elegance. The third -the most complex sound, although not very sure how it projects in a larger space.

[BogenmacherD]

Excellent presentation and explanations (except for the bit about carbon fibre bows)

[srinitaaigaura]

The bow makes a far more noticeable difference than even old vs modern violins.

[firstnamelastname]

What is the piece played at 5:58 ? So beautiful

[sultanpiper]

To my ears, number 1 produces a bright sound, number 2 has much softer sound and number 3 has a balanced sound between the two.

[stevehurst]

Out of the three you were comparing, the 1st sounded best. Clear and rich. Just curious, was it more expensive?

[philharmonischelautspreche]

I like the Tibor Kovacs bow best of the three.

[pindarf]

I found the first two bows were quite similar to each other, I could hear a slight difference but hard to pick which I prefer. On the other hand the third bow from the Peccate workshop was easily head and shoulders better than the first two, I definately prefer this one. The sound seemed more rounded and resonant.
I have 3 bows, a bow by K. Gerhard Penzel which combines great handling and great tone and is my everyday bow. I also have a French bow by Morizot (Père) which has a sweeter, more complex tone but not as good handling as the Penzel. Finally I have an Arcus Musing carbon Fibre bow, the Musing C3 which I use in orchestra and has the best handling is the most resonant compared with the two others. It's great for tackling tricky orchestral passages with the least effort (It's also relatively light weight), but lacks the velvety complexity of sound of my two wood bows, especially the Morizot Père. The future of violin bows is definitely with Carbon Fibre or other woods, Pernambuco is an endangered spieces and is finished now for today's young bowmakers.

[ariankonci]

The French bow makes a notable difference in comparison with other bows!

[bennyblanko]

You could definitely hear and see a difference in your playing between the bows. The last one, Picate definitely sounded the best, and did the double stops the best, but looked like you were not as used to the softness, or higher bow hair. The first stick looked quite stiff, and would be great for heavy frog bouncing, but sounded pretty bright (and your fiddle is a bit bright too). I'd go with the Picate (spelling?) if I had the money - but I think they cost a lot (too much for me). I'd take the 2nd stick, because it was still pretty stiff and looked balanced and nice, and sounded decent too. People get so picky about bows. And some of them cost so much now. Really, everybody's arm, strength, bow speed, playing style, type of sound they want to produce, and violin they are playing on is different. So, you really need to just try a bunch, and see what works with your violin. I've got a few bows, but my favorite at the moment for a "cheap" bow is a Fisher 3 star that I bought off Shar about 10 years ago. I think about 1.2k, and it really works and sounds great, with excellent balance and not too stiff or soft. Also, age matters. I traded my stiffer german bow to a lady who was getting up in age, and bow arm shaking a little and harder to control, and that worked for her (I got a nice Nurnberger german bow in trade, lighter and softer, but harder to control).