Bows
About Bows
Arguably, a bow is the most critical tool for producing beautiful sounds on the violin and many other musical instruments. In music, a bowed instrument is a tensioned stick that has hair coated in rosin affixed to it.
This is a basic musical instrument in playing many gadgets. Therefore they hold a special place in the list of music accessories. They move across some parts of any musical instrument to create vibrations as a result of which instrument emits sound. There is a vast majority of bows used with string instruments like the violin. Some types are also used with musical saws and other bowed idiophones. By construction, it is a unique shape stick with other materials forming ribbons stretched between two ends. This string is used to stroke the string and create sound. These bows come in a wide range of materials, sizes and styles.
Different parts of a standard violin bow
Interestingly this simple-looking stick contains several parts. Each of these parts holds its place and role in the performance of the violinist. Even the slightest flaw or malfunction in any of these parts will not only have an impact on the comfort of the player will also change the sounds produced by the violinist. Therefore, it is essential to understand the below discussed parts of the bow and ensure that they are in perfect working conditions when you head to a stage for performing. Here are the core parts of a violin bow that you need to understand and get hands-on.
The stick
It is the most prominent and distinguished part of the product. It is the main support of the bow and is also known as the backbone. While playing, the stick takes most of the pressure from the player while playing the violin to create sound. The material of the stick is had resilient Pernambuco wood and less expensive Brazilwood. Both these types of woods come from Brazil. Brazilin wood makes cheaper material for violin sticks, whereas Pernambuco is less responsive. Besides the two types of woods, there are many other types of technological sticks, including carbon fibre and fibreglass. These two are increasingly popular and are available for a variety of violin players.
The hair on bows
They have hair attachments. Modern hairs are shorter and are designed according to any desired length. It is usually done by warming the hair up with an open flame. The hair is a part of the product that touches the violin. As this hair hit the strings, a special sound is created. These hairs have a coating of rosin and when the bow is slid along the string and pulled the hair then grips the string. This hair is generally made of the tail of a white Mongolian Stallion. However, you can also find some sticks with black hair. It is coarse and not that good for violin.
The bow screws
It is another important mechanical piece within musical instrument s. This is a semi-permanent screw that sits inside both ends of the sticks. This screw is designed to allow the violinist to hold it and twist it. With each twist of the screw, attached hair is either tightened or loosened. The hair needs to be tightened to play the violin. So the player needs to adjust this simple screw when he or she wishes to adjust the bow grip on the hair. A simple adjustment of these screws can prevent the stick from wrapping due to excess tension.
The frog on a violin bow
The frog is generally made of ebony hardwood. It is known to have a distinct appearance among different other parts. It is situated near the grip at the bottom part of the musical accessory . The frog is responsible for keeping the hair in place. One side of the frog is u-shaped while the other side has a square shape. The frog is settled against the stick and sits on it. Additionally, it is stacked with wooden wedged and a system of the metal ferrule to hold the hair tightly in place. At times it is decorated with a golden or silver circle on each side. Sometimes an abalone shell is also used to decorate it. This circle is also known as “the eye.”
Tips on how to buy Bow online in the UAE
When you need to buy a cheap violin bow, go to a retail search engine. These websites offer various brands and manufacturers on a single platform. Hence you can find endless options to buy the best bow for a violin online in the UAE. But with that many options, you can easily get distracted by price, look or other apparent features and skip the important aspects of the product you must have for playing the violin. As a result, you will end up buying a low quality or useless bow. To help, here are some tips on how you can make a smart buying decision online.
- Price – As with most items in life, an expensive item may not be the best one. With as many variables in violin setups, you can easily find cheaper options to play like a pro. Many violinists suggest that you should spend about a quarter to half of your violin price on the bow. And to do so, you can explore brands online and use online price comparison tools to find cheaper items.
- The material – Here, you will have four main material options to choose from; carbon fibre, Brazilwood; synthetic and Pernambuco. Brazilwood includes several types of wood from the Brazilian tropical area. Whereas many things Pernambuco is best for violin bow as it is lightweight and allow various motions. Likewise, carbon fibre and synthetic materials have their pros and cons.
- Flexibility – When it comes to violins, flexibility measures how the bow reacts when it’s under tension. When you tighten the bow, it will still have some give and bounce while using. It makes many different types of articulation even more comfortable to attain by the player. If you are unsure what flexibility in the product you need, consult an expert for advice.
- The weight and balance – They have different balance and weights. Specifically, if they are made of organic materials, generally, a more massive option can create a bigger sound. Likewise, a lighter bow can make the strokes more facile. To find the ideal option by weight, you can consult the product description section of selected items to decide.
- The shape – There are two main shapes of violin bows; octagonal and round. The round ones are less stiff as compared to their octagonal friends. This flexibility allows for better control. However, it all depends on the player, as some people prefer stiffness for playing unique strings. But if you are a beginner or intermediate player, go for round bows.
In the end, we always recommend our consumers look into the customer reviews sections of every product before making a final decision on the purchase. This is how you can come to know about the real-time performance of the product. You can also consider the consumer rating on brand and product to decide about the performance. Here a rule of thumb is to opt for a product with at least three out of five-star ratings.
Question & Answer
Which violin bow to buy for beginners?
The Fiddlerman Carbon Fiber Violin is the best violin bow for both intermediate and beginner players. If you are looking for the best budget option, go for Cecilio Brazilwood Violin With Ebony Frog. But if you wish to upgrade, the Crescent Well Balanced Carbon Fiber Violin is the best option to buy. Likewise, you can keep the Violinsmart 3/4 Size Violin as a backup option in your kit. For a better idea, you can explore different brands and sellers on our retail search engine and make a well-informed choice.
How to clean a violin bow?
After you are done playing, loosen the bow. Use a clean, lint-free cloth to wipe the stick gently. Sometimes this simple wipe is not enough, and you might need to deep clean the hair of your bow. To do so, you will need to take a small amount of denatured alcohol and a soft toothbrush to brush the hair gently. Make sure you apply lengthwise strokes. Once it is clean, please leave it to dry so that the hair does not touch the stick. Once it’s dry, put it together and get ready for your next performance.
Why is my violin bow squeaking?
Maybe it is because it does not have the right amount of rosin on the hair, or the fingers might accidentally hit other strings. It can also be because the hair is too tight or too loose. Also, if its location is too close to the bridge, it will get scratchy or be too far up the fingerboard; you will hear squeaking and lose the clarity of tone. Moreover, at times, it can be because it is too old; at such times, you will need to buy a new item to avoid such issues.
What size violin bow do I need?
As a rule of thumb, the length of your bow should be proportional to the size of the player. So for a small child with an appropriate violin of 1/8, it is better to have a shorter item than what you will pick for an adult playing a full-size instrument. It is also important to note that its length directly affects the stiffness. So shorter the bow, the stiffer it will be, and a stiffer bow will not deliver a range of expressions.
Where to buy a violin bow online in the UAE?
They are of various types, shapes, sizes and materials. It is essential to do some market search to find a suitable option for your needs without worrying about the budget. To do so, you should visit a retail search engine . This is where you can find best-selling products from top global brands. For instance, at Shops.ae, you can find products from brands like GEWA, Penzel, Vingobow, Naomi, P&H, or Hofner.
Here you can also use the price comparison tool to find cheaper mucal products and related items from these brands.