| When considering the best bow for fiddling, iit may | | | | rule about how tight a bow should be. Again, it |
| seem that every fiddle player has a different opinion. | | | | depends upon the individual bow and the player's |
| Choosing a bow is a very personal decision. Fiddle | | | | preferences. |
| music is very demanding and a having a responsive | | | | A common mistake is to put too much rosin on the |
| bow is a must. I have observed that fiddle players | | | | bow. Many players and teachers feel that they should |
| use everything from the most inexpensive bows to | | | | rosin the bow every time they play. This is not the |
| fine old French bows valued at over $20,000. | | | | case. Rosin should be used to help the bow grip the |
| One option that is becoming very popular is carbon | | | | string. If you find a white cloud of it coming off the |
| fiber bows. The advantages to carbon fiber bows | | | | bow hair when you play, then you are using too |
| are that they are very stable, difficult to break and | | | | much. With rosin, generally less is more. If you feel |
| do not warp. A favorite carbon fiber bow is the | | | | the hair slipping on the string then apply more of it |
| CodaBow brand. CodaBow makes several models | | | | sparingly until you feel the bow grip the string. |
| which are designed to accommodate many different | | | | It is important to remember to loosen the bow when |
| levels of players. | | | | you are done playing. When tension is left on the |
| When playing demanding fiddle tunes, a bow with a | | | | hair, it will stretch. Once the hair is too stretched out |
| strong stick may seem to perform best for many | | | | your bow will no longer tighten. If you can't tighten |
| players. Keep in mind that the stronger the stick, the | | | | the bow, don't force it. Take it in to you local luthier |
| less hair tension is needed. Each bow will dictate, | | | | for a rehair. Many bows have been damaged by |
| depending upon strength of the stick and its camber | | | | trying to force them to tighten. The other reason for |
| (the arch in the bow), how tight it needs to be. A | | | | loosening the hair is to let the stick relax back into it's |
| common mistake is to tighten the bow so much that | | | | natural cambered shape. If a bow is left tight for too |
| it becomes bouncy and hard to control. There is no | | | | long it will lose its camber and can warp. |
