Violin Bows: All You Need to Know

Violin Bows

The French bow-making tradition began in the town of Mirecourt, located in the Vosgian mountains. The early French bow makers found that wood brought to France for textile dyeing was just right for making bows.

Many of the finest bow makers of 19th-century Paris were originally from the town of Mirecourt. They later made their way to Paris, bringing with them a new form of the bow that took its final shape in the hands of François Tourte in 19th-century Paris.

Taking good care of your violin bow is essential.

A violin bow is as important to a violinist as the instrument itself. Without it, you wouldn’t be able to play. Keep your bow in good condition, never tighten its hair too much, and loosen it after each use. Also, wipe the stick clean with a soft cloth to remove rosin dust after each time you play. If you regularly play your violin, have it checked periodically by a luthier.

• Always loosen the bow when not in use. Loosening the hairs of the bow when not playing ensures that it doesn’t lose its camber and prevents the bow from warping over time.
• To avoid a build-up of rosin across the hairs and the wooden section of the bow, you should only use rosin when necessary. Reducing the amount of rosin, you use and how often you apply it will create a cleaner, more pleasing sound.
• Violin bows accumulate dirt from sweaty hands, making it hard to play the instrument well. Students, in particular, have difficulty maintaining the right-hand position if the bow is dirty.
• Do not clean the hair with any product. Over time, you may need to clean your violin bow. When you do it, don’t use any products on the hair as this can damage them and the bow stick.