Choosing A Violin Bow! How do I do it? 

I finally know How Alison Choose my bow. For Everybody, Alison knew exactly the violin I had (CVN-700 for the last 4 years) And she's been giving me lesson for 5 years now so she knows my playing. I've been playing with the new bow for few month now. I really love it. And it's true: the more you pay the better quality you get and better the sound is. So thank's Alison for your help in providing me the best bow I will ever get. Still need to put the obligato string to have the best string upgrade.

I started with an inexpensive carbon fiber bow and recently switched to a Holstein 3 Star bow and the difference is night and day. I couldn't believe how much better the Holstein felt in comparison, it's everything I wanted and more than I'll ever need. Thanks for the video.

I love your channel it helps me and inspires me to do violin I just ordered my first ever one and I'm soooooooooo excited

Amazing video!! I’m so thankful all your videos!! I can’t believe I’m learning to play violin. I’ve been playing guitar for 13 years and I’ve always wanted to learn how to play violin! Thank you times a million! I recently bought a violin you did a review on!

That is so lovely of you, choosing a bow for her. Very very nice. I've never bought a bow before, so seeing how you tested it was really good. 😊 thanks for sharing and teaching us! 😊

The thumbnail should’ve had the bow case glowing...

I needed this !!! Thank you so much!!

I bought a Coda Bow a few months ago and I absolutely am in love with it. It was roughly 300$ and came with a 5 year warranty. I had trialed almost 6 bows by that point and i was so relieved to finally find “the one”

Alison, this video is really timely for me. Just arrived in Almaty to purchase a violin. Thanks

Terrific content and very helpful! Thanks for sharing this experience! And by the way, that shade of fingernail polish is lovely!

I was seriously about to get a bow, and not sure which one to get for a reasonable price... and now I know!!

This helps me to make a better decision , I ve been trying to replace the lightweight student bow that I have.

Excellant help, thanx!

it's was a very interesting video to watch so I watched it twice> I think your first instincts were correct. You didn't want to know what they cost so you wouldn't be influenced by the price. For the first two rounds you seemed to like the advancing Student bow the best from your comments (until you bounced the brazilwood one). Once you knew which one was which, you seemed to convince yourself to like the Dofler. That's why trying them blind matters if you can do it. People will seem to talk themselves into the one they think SHOULD be better. I am not sure the actual curve of the bow matters except aesthetically if the bow performs well. I have bows with slightly different bends and a good bowmaker will use the bend to fine tune the bend (or so I have heard) so they all perform well. If I were to guess, the Dofler is a similar weight to your personal bow so it felt more familiar. remember, I never have even been in the same room as any of these bows, but from your reactions, it is almost like you changed 180 degrees once you knew what they were. when blind to the model, the Advancing student bow was really nice and the Doffler was meh, but once you knew the identity of both it flipped. Since they both were octagonal , as you said, you thought it WAS the Dofler. also, in higher level bows (more costly than these), price does not mean as much. I bought two bows from a maker because they were really good before he got a big reputation. His bows were so good that he got a reputation and now his bows cost twice the price or more. I tried one (actually a few) of his new bows and they are slightly more refined visually, but they play essentially the same the first two I bought. So, you likely picked the best bow for your student. I am sure that either is a step up and so much is subjective that who can really say. I just found it interesting enough to watch it again and it seemed to me your opinion changed once you knew which was which. I don't claim any special knowledge about bows, but I usually weigh my blind test higher, but I go with the bow that I won't regret later, because when you take it home, you will know which one it was. Once they are above the required standard of performance, it is the subjective things that help up be happy with our purchases anyway. :)

Just got back from a trip to the dump, (was getting rid of that old tweed jacket) and saw your video! Best one you've made today! Thanks, A! :D I'll send you a pic of the violin bow I picked out.

(1) You play great! (2) I like your tone and your touch. Well done, teacher.

my teacher Alison is very beautiful ,, and very talented ,, always beautiful and evergreen

Hello Allison. I currently use a Brazil wood Mongolian horsehair violin bow that I purchased new for $7.04 (US) on Amazon in 2015. And I've been using it ever since with no problems. The feel and weight of the bow is just fine with me. BTW: It now sells for $14.95 (US) on Amazon. 😖 🎻 🎶

Thank You so much for this informative video! I currently own a very nice Edw. Herrmann Octagonal Pernambuco bow and an equally nice carbon fiber Coda bow and they are distinctly different. A couple of advantages I feel the carbon fiber has over any wooden bow is that it is not subjective to temperature or humidity and it is less prone to accidental breakage or damage. This may be something to consider contingent upon where one resides. Also, a carbon fiber bow may be a worthy candidate to seriously consider for a young child. Thank You for all you do! I've recently subscribed and I'm going through all your videos! They are inspirational, informative, and so very helpful! I am multi-instrumentalist, and I am self-taught on the violin/fiddle with a focus on Irish/Celtic music the past 30+ years. As with any musician, I am always striving to expand and improve and I am elated to have found your channel! I hope to enroll in one of your lesson programs!

Love the vids keep it up!!!! 😂

I love that she is posting this video because i am finally picking a violin and bow from a violin shop that i like. I am a bit conflicted on the two violins sadly one is deeper that cost $1000. And the other one is brighter sound that cost $1500. But i have a few days to test them all out. I hope i can make a choice.

Hey Allison, You have taught me SO much! Picked up violin at 27 a few weeks ago and your videos have been an absolutely amazing resource for me! Thank you! Quick question, are all the same notes played in the same spot unless the are sharp/flat? For example if I have the A in the staff and following it there is an A in the ledger lines and neither are sharp/flat can I play them in the same spot? Or what advice do you have for that? Again your amazing, thank you for all you do!

When I heard the Advancing Student Bow, I feel in love with the sound when you played lower notes. I'm definitely going Pernambuco. Thanks! Do you have a link to the Advancing Student Bow, please?

Tips to getting back in violin hehe

Cool

How did you get a Pernambuco bow for only $120 USD?? Brazilwood does not always mean Pernambuco. Lower end Pernambuco bows have a starting price of around $600 USD

Would love the name of your rosin again I didint quite catch it, I would love to try it! I've just had an antique bow restored and want to give this rosin a go with it!

@alison I know all bows are different; however which bow typically has a more resonant/bright/powerful sound. A wood or carbon fiber bow. Im deciding between my old early 1900s german wood bow and my fiddlerman carbon fiber weave bow. Ive been using both these bows for a long time and am deciding now which one will be my main career oriented bow. If u can give me your opinion it would be greatly appreciated!! 😀

I’m currently deployed, and getting violin lessons from another soldier. We purchased an electric violin from amazon and will be donating it to the USO once our tour is completed. Unfortunately it’s one of the few options we have to get what we need. It was approx $110, but the bow seems synthetic and the rosin is horrible. I’ve got rosin you suggested on the way. However, being that online purchases are our only resource for music supplies, is there any suggestions on an affordable but not horrid bow? It will be in a music room with many different people utilizing it, so weight and other small personal preferences aren’t a huge concern. Just something that’s a little bit better quality would be nice!

Alison, could please write the name of the rosin you used?? I think you forgot to put the link to it in the description, because I am having a little trouble finding out which rosin i should use, so I thought maybe it would help me if I knew. Thank you anyways for teaching us these awesome things ❤️

I have been playing for about 6 weeks, and I can completely agree about the bounce on the brazilwood. I am about to buy a new bow myself because I hate the bows that came with my violin.

I just got a bow from online and it’s not comfortable to use wish I had watched your video sooner.

You seem happiest or most satisfied playing with the Dorfler bow. Then the advancing student violin bow seems alright as you play. That’s my opinion. As I observe you playing. Thanks for demonstrating!

a good carbon-fibre bow is what I use and I have been very happy

I can’t find any information how how often do you have to replace your violin bow completely? How long does the stick lasts ?

That col legno bow sounds the best of all in your hands. It sounds solid with no artifacts or ,,bugs,, :D bouncing chech is the worse and dofler 3rd place as for me

I just chose my bow based on its weight . Cos some Bows are super heavy and it hurts my hand like hell.

A personal question, Allison, but what violin do you use? I use a 1913 Eduard Reichert which has served me well but I'm curious as to what you use - Mark

I am 14 years old boy, I want to buy a good violin for the first time, Can you suggest me what size I should buy ?please suggest me few brands\models too. Thank you

What bow would be compatible with a stentor 2 for a beginner. I have no idea what bow to get

Can u try the Kennedy violins on amazon

It's funny how the Advancing Student bow was winning until you looked at the names......

I have a question I have this tube thing on my e string I already tuned it but I was wondering what that tube thing that was dangling on the e string was. Am I suppose to put it under the e string to prevent it from digging into the bridge?

My violine strings are ok but sound does not produce...before it was ok but no sound comes. What is the reason may i know?

What about codabow prodigy 4/4?

can someone tell me the one she chose is it round? i can see from the video

Which model of Dorfler bow was that?

Should i just buy cheap bows and throw them out when the hair is worn. There are no luthiers where i live.

This was very useful, thank you! Question: What do you think of the Fiddlerman carbon fiber bow? It seems that everyone except me can play it without any trouble. 😅 In my case, it feels kinda slippery and my hand tends to move up the bow when I play. The bow that came with my violin fits prefectly in my hand, but it's way too bouncy. Ehh.. if only I could find a way to combine those 2 bows into one perfect bow... 😀

If an armed robber was holding me at gun point and gave me the choice of losing one of my favorite violins or losing my favorite bow, there's no question. Don't take my bow.

Thank you for this very helpful video. I couldn't find the Dorfler bow on Caswell's website but the String Zone have a Dorfler Brazilwood octagonal bow for £110, it may be the same one you tried. I was going to buy the Col Legno bow to go with my Stentor Messina violin but now I'm not sure which one to go for. I have a cheaper carbon fibre bow ("I Violini" £60) from The String Zone which is pretty good but I would like a better one.

Ok, ok, I'll bow for her, your funny!

I THOUGHT THE SECOND BOW HAD BETTER TOOTH!. I THOUGHT CARBON BOWS WERE FOR ELECTRIC VIOLINS?

:)

iM FiRsT!!1!1!!1

Hello, can you tell me what model is the Dorfler now? Thanks

Why are they so damn heavy??

Could you imagine watching some crazy American girl with the most ghetto slang you've ever heard trying to talk about violins? 🤣 I bet it'd be hilarious 🤣🤣🤣🤣