Viola Online: Viola Bow Hold
Want to know the proper way to hold your viola bow? Does where you place your bow matter?

Bow placement, bow speed and bow pressure are key elements to producing a good sound on your viola.
Bow hold front
Bow hold back
Viola Bow Hold Tips
  • Relax your hand, slightly turn your wrist to the left, and let your fingers drop into place.
  • The tip of the bent thumb touches the frog contact point.
  • Fingers gently curve over the top of the viola bow stick.
  • The middle finger is opposite from the thumb.
Viola Bow at the frog
Viola Bow at the middle
Viola Bow at the tip
Viola Bow Placement Tips
  • Good tone quality is achieved through proper bow placement, bow speed and bow pressure.
  • Slightly tilt the wood of the viola bow towards the fingerboard.
  • Place the bow on the string at the middle point between the bridge and the fingerboard.
  • Draw the viola bow in a straight line so the bow remains parallel to the bridge.
  • Loud sounds can be achieved with heavy bow pressure and by drawing the bow close to the bridge.
  • Soft sounds can be achieved with light bow pressure and by drawing the bow close to the fingerboard.
  • Keep the level of the arm and bow constant while playing on different strings.

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