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String instrument and bow are almost an inseparable pair. In fact, the bow is like an extension of the right hand. It is important to choose the right bow to play out the music you want. With so many choices available in a wide range of prices in the market, how should we choose the perfect bow?
Criteria 1: Meeting basic requirements
A basic appropriate bow should have moderate weight, a normal curve on the bow stick and sufficient bow hair. Also, bows have different sizes just like the instrument so make sure you have one matching the size of your instrument.
Criteria 2: Matching current skill levels
To beginners, it is more important to practise hand shapes and positions and their ears are not much trained. So simple bows will easily satisfy their needs. Usually these bows mass-produced with gauranteed basic qualities are more economic.
When players become more skillful, their bow requirements will change. Their ears have become more sensitive to the sound and they have a bigger need in developing right hand skills. Therefore, it is crucial and meaningful to have a bow that can respond to more advanced control. Bows with excellent quality are usually handmade by bowmakers. Bowmakers will fine tune each bow’s weight distribution and tone quality according to their chosen materials for the best performance. That is why these bows will be much more expensive.
Criteria 3: Feeling good on the hand and allowing room for skill development
Excellent bows will flexibly and sensitively respond to the player’s control so that he/she can create the desired effects without extra efforts and receive due audio feedback. A bow like that will allow player to train his/her listening and right hand skills and therefore creating room for future playing skill development.
Criteria 4: Passing the hands-on test and budget
Last but not least, no matter what bow you will choose, you should always try it out yourself. You will be able to actually feel how it is like to control it with your own hand and hear what it can play. We suggest you to first test with different strokes (legato and detached etc.) and its response and then consider your budget.
Voila! Now you know how to find your bow. Good luck!