All bow articles
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Focus6 tips for improved coordination
Guidance from The Strad’s archive for greater synchronisation between left-hand fingers and bow
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NewsMissing: violin bow stolen in Miami Airport
The item, worth $10,000, went missing on 6 July 2023
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ReviewBook review: Eugène Sartory: Documents and photographs concerning his life and work, presented by his grandson Philippe Dupuy
Philip Brown reviews a book of memories on the great 20th-century bow maker
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DebateBows of the 18th century have been ignored by string players for too long
Long neglected by the majority of string players, the bows of the 18th century make a huge difference to the way the music from that period is played, argues Jérôme Akoka
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Premium ❘ Feature7 things to remember when buying a bow
Bows, for so long seen as mere accessories, are increasingly attracting serious investors, writes Femke Colborne
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Premium ❘ FeatureAsk the Experts: how to fix a wobbling bow frog
A reader asks what should be done when a bow frog wobbles after a rehair – and what does it say about the rehairer? Two makers give their views
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Premium ❘ FeatureInside information
Very often neglected, the chamfers of a bow head can give intimate clues as to a maker’s working style and personal characteristics. Anton Lu and Dai-Ting Chung compare and contrast bows from the Baroque era to the present day
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Premium ❘ FeatureAsk the Experts: How to look after your bow
Four bow makers advise on how best to look after a new bow to maintain both its performance and potential resale value
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Premium ❘ FeatureHow to ensure the long-term health of your bow
There's more to looking after your bow than simply replacing the hair, writes Peg Baumgartel, and avoiding big problems is all about staying on top of minor repairs
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NewsTourte bow demolishes price records in French auction
Violin bow by François Xavier Tourte sells for €576,600 (c.$687,000) at Vichy Enchères the day after same house breaks record for violin by Vuillaume
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FocusMaking a carbon fibre bow in 10 steps – photo story
Founded in 1999, Arcus has developed a reputation for making lightweight, durable bows from non-traditional materials. Company director Bernd Müsing explains how a composite bow is made, from initial design to first hair fitting
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ArticleThe problem of substandard bow hair
Bow makers, suppliers and musicians are increasingly having to deal with thinning and brittle bow hair. How has this situation come about? Nancy Pellegrini reports
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NewsRare Hill bows go on show in Oxford
Exhibition dedicated to celebrated British workshop W.E. Hill & Sons opens at university museum
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ArticleA violin bow with a mind of its own
A violinist's enthusiastic final bow stroke makes for a finale to remember in this orchestral concert from 2013.Watch: A bow hair disasterWatch: Violist Yuri Bashmet in tailpiece disasterWatch: Violinist Christian Tetzlaff and pianist Lars Vogt in page turning catastrophe
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ArticleViolin accident: what to do when your bow flies out of your hand
Violinist Sara Delić loses control of her bow - which threatens to go flying - during a performance of Sarasate's Zigeunerweisen.Watch: A bow hair disasterWatch: Violinist Christian Tetzlaff and pianist Lars Vogt in page-turning disaster
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FocusIntroducing the bow to beginner violin students
American pedagogue Mimi Zweig explains how she engages new pupils
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ArticleHow to re-hair a violin bow
Japanese-based violin and bow maker Daniel Olsen demonstrates how to re-hair a violin bow.Watch: How gut strings are madeWatch: Making a violin - from start to finish
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ArticleCellist Ralph Kirshbaum on varying bow speed
When playing Bach we tend to use a slightly faster bow speed - with less core and more resonance' Cellist Ralph Kirshbaum speaks about varying bow speed depending on period and genre for the Play With A Pro Music Academy. The full masterclass is available here. Kirshbaum ...
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ArticleHow to achieve perfectly controlled bowing
The presentation may be a little odd, but this video on how to achieve a clear and controlled bow stroke, drawing inspiration from the method of Paganini, features some very useful tips.Read: The evolution of violin bow holdRead: Violinist Aaron Rosand on improving bow technique
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ArticleViolinist Rachel Podger gives Baroque bowing masterclass
Imagine your hand is like seaweed in the water, always flowing...'British Baroque violinist Rachel Podger gives a bowing masterclass as part of the York Baroque Strings Project for students at the National Centre for Early Music in 2014.Podger speaks about the singular challenges of Biber’s Rosary Sonatas, considered ...