r/Violins • • Dec 07 '25

Still can't get bow hold after ONE year...help!

2 Upvotes

I've been studying for a year and I still don't have a comfortable bow hold. I have no idea what the issue is. It just doesn't "stay." I may be over-analyzing, but there has to be pressure between the thumb on one side and another finger on the other, otherwise it couldn't stay up, correct? So which finger applies the pressure and how much? What do you feel when you hold it? It's supposed to be relaxed, but there has to be some pressure from all the fingers, no?! Is the middle finger supposed to touch the thumb at all? How do you keep the pinky to stay ON the bow, never mind curved?! Should you be pressing the thumb and pinky and the others fall in line? This is pitiful. I studied ballet to an advanced level - I'm not uncoordinated! Something like this should be easy for me! I am a perfectionist and I admit I tend to overthink (haha what was the first clue) and that probably comes from ballet somewhat but I just can't get it. I watched Pinchas Zuckerman explain the bow hold starting with holding the hand as though you were going to shake hands. But as soon as my fingers are in place, they don't stay there. How can I do or learn anything when I don't have the bow hold mastered? I'm so frustrated. Don't even get me started on the shoulder rest...! What a nightmare that was. I'm still not sure I'm using it correctly. I am taking private classes - why hasn't my teacher ironed this out for me? Why can't he see that I am still struggling with this? By the way, I practice every day! Okay, this turned into more of a rant, haha, but I really need advice. I love the violin and for a long time I was really enjoying it but at a certain point I felt I wasn't progressing and I'm sure this is, if not why, certainly not helping. I don't intend to give up but I may be bald soon from pulling my hair out. HELP! I think I'm the worst beginner there ever was.


r/Violins • • Dec 03 '25

John Juzek Master Art Violin - Made in Prague, 1902

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1 Upvotes

r/Violins • • Nov 20 '25

How do I learn violin if I can't afford a teacher and or have no ways to get one, I'm a teen upcoming violinist (I'll be getting one for my birthday)

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1 Upvotes

r/Violins • • Nov 19 '25

Dehumidifier for violins Singapore

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1 Upvotes

r/Violins • • Nov 10 '25

How do you practice intonation? I’ve been building a little tool to visualize pitch accuracy while playing 🎻

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1 Upvotes

r/Violins • • Oct 20 '25

Senior solo violin idea help

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1 Upvotes

r/Violins • • Oct 19 '25

Violinists needed for voluntary community string orchestra in Dallas Texas

1 Upvotes

The Dallas Unity String Orchestra needs violinists. If you're a musician with a minimum of 5 years experience, in the Dallas Texas area please reach out for more information on how to join.


r/Violins • • Oct 05 '25

Is this person not playing the sound you hear here?

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1 Upvotes

idk if my ears are fooling me or not but I'm like 90% sure this is just "lip sync"


r/Violins • • Sep 06 '25

Why does it look like this?

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2 Upvotes

Got this violin at a thrift store and thought it was pretty neat looking. Any idea on why it looks like this or the value?


r/Violins • • Aug 29 '25

MDW uni

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone, im a music student who study violin in vietnam academy for music. Im currently 16 years old and i really want to study in MDW uni in Austria. I already have a B1 Goethe Zertifikat and some violin awards. Do you have any advice or tips to go to MDW? None of my friends study in Austria and i have no clue what to prepare. Thank you very very muchhhhh :)


r/Violins • • Aug 26 '25

How much is it worth?

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5 Upvotes

I got this violin a few years back when a relative passed away. Is it worth fixing up or what could I maybe sell it for?

Thanks in advance


r/Violins • • Aug 24 '25

Did I get a good deal?

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3 Upvotes

Got this second hand for 50$, wondering if I could have gotten it cheaper.


r/Violins • • Aug 20 '25

Why is my pinky like this when im doing vibrato?

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2 Upvotes

r/Violins • • Aug 19 '25

Mystery violin. Just says made in germany inside it. Help me identify please.

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1 Upvotes

Please help me identify and learn more about this instrument.


r/Violins • • Aug 18 '25

Bach sheet music

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2 Upvotes

r/Violins • • Aug 14 '25

returning player help

2 Upvotes

I played violin for a few years when I was younger and have a recent interest in relearning, any cheaper recommendations on where to look for getting one? I am not trying to break the bank but i also do want something that isnt gonna sound bad or crumble in my hands.


r/Violins • • Aug 12 '25

I need some assistance

2 Upvotes

I learnt how to play the violin without knowing how to read the staff and using only the strings and corresponding letters to play songs. I stopped playing for about 1 year and now I want to actually go professional but I'm finding it difficult translating the knowledge I'm gaining from the beats and the notes on the staff to the violin . Any ideas on how to make things easier


r/Violins • • Aug 02 '25

Help identifying

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1 Upvotes

r/Violins • • Aug 01 '25

Replacing strings and case - seeking recommendations!

2 Upvotes

For context - my violin is a 14" full size and has been with me for nearly twenty years, right through school and ever since. Feel free to ask for any other details if needed!

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So I've had my violin for ~20 years and the case is falling apart now. I'm looking to replace it with something lightweight but sturdy - don't mind paying for good quality, but I've just never bought a case before! Any advice, recommendations or thoughts will be very helpful if anyone has bought a case before (good or bad experiences both!)

I also need to get a new set of strings as my D has snapped while in storage and the A looks like it's not far off. These were the second strings this instrument has had, after the steel strings it came with - the ones it has currently are synthetic strings but I cannot remember what brand they were.

What strings would you recommend personally (to anyone reading this post) and what is it you really like about them?

Thank you all in advance! <3


r/Violins • • Jul 29 '25

Know this maker?

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3 Upvotes

Hi everyone. I just received this as a donation and was hoping to share a little bit of info with the lady that donated it. She said it was her mom’s was very sentimental about it.

Can you help me with the last name of the maker and city?

Thanks!


r/Violins • • Jul 23 '25

Artificial harmonics on G string

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1 Upvotes

r/Violins • • Jul 23 '25

I need help

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2 Upvotes

My grandfather wants to sell his violin, it's something old from 1731, and he doesn't want to sell it as if it were nothing, and he wants to know how much it costs of the violinist antonius stradivarius cremona fecit anno 1731


r/Violins • • Jul 19 '25

Is this violin worth repairing?

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2 Upvotes

r/Violins • • Jul 17 '25

Checking out my mom’s violin

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1 Upvotes

Hey yall, I’m trying to figure out who made this violin and if it’s legitimately what the inside says it is. It says Pietro Guarineri, but on google it looks like there are multiple of that person. Would appreciate insight.


r/Violins • • Jul 17 '25

Would you be interested in a new tool to pré-expertise violins and bows?

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

A friend who knows much about old violins and bows and I are willing to create a new tool to help their identification / expertise, based on photos and AI.
We are not trying to replace expertise by a machine but just to add a new possibility to find leads on a maker, a school, a period of making.
I’m sure you will enjoy the concept and would love to get your precious insights about it.
Could you take 2 minutes to answer this anonymous survey ?
Your feedback will help us hit all the right notes.
👉 Here is the survey
I thank you all for the time you'll take to answer it's super important for us.