AboutDavid Expertise I mainly aim to answer questions about playing techniques--intonation,
vibrato, bowing etc. I am somewhat familiar with Baroque and Classical music, though not as much with Romantic. I am unable to answer questions about advanced music theory, violin crafters/brands or the monetary value of a violin.
Experience I have played the violin about nine discontinuous years. Most of my work has been orchestral, with some soloing throughout. I was principal 2nd violinist of the Disney Honors Orchestra in 1998, a six-time All-State Orchestra violinist, a two-time assistant concertmaster and two-time concertmaster of my All-County Orchestra. I also have perfect pitch, which I believe can be learned (though I do not claim to know how to teach it).
Since starting medical school in 2004, I have had fewer chances to play, but I hope to someday resume on a regular basis.
Expert: David Date: 12/31/2002 Subject: New violin bow
Question Hi David,
What is the proper treatment for a brand new violin bow before using it?
Thanks.
Jermin
Answer Hi Jermin,
A brand new bow generally needs two "treatments" before it can be used: tightening and rosining.
To tighten the bow, just grasp the bow's screw, located at the very end of the bow (at the heavier end) and turn it clockwise. The bow should be tightened only to a certain degree: once the distance between the bow stick and bow hair is about that of the stick's thickness at the narrowest point (about .8 cm) then the tension is approximately correct.
To rosin the bow, first take your rosin cake and roughen it somewhat with fine sandpaper or a nail file. Rosin will not work if it is shiny and smooth. When the rosin is roughened, slide the bow hair back and forth along the rosin (or slide the rosin back and forth along the bow hair, either way will do). For a brand new bow, you'll need a lot of rosin, so I suggest about twelve to fourteen strokes (a stroke one way, then a stroke the opposite way, counts as two). After this first "initiation", the bow will need to be rosined each time before a practice session, lesson, or performance, but you won't need to use as much as you did the first time (generally six to eight strokes will be enough).
I hope this helps; feel free to ask any more questions you might have.
Sincerely,
David
