Fiddle bow problem

Subject: Fiddle bow problem
From: Davetnova
Date: 15 Apr 05 - 11:00 AM

Is there a quick trick to getting a new bow to play? Or is just rosin, rosin,rosin till it does?

Subject: RE: Fiddle bow problem
From: Sorcha
Date: 15 Apr 05 - 11:22 AM

Probably.....what kind of hair? Real or synth? And, is it new new or new to you?

Subject: RE: Fiddle bow problem
From:
Date: 15 Apr 05 - 11:30 AM

Rosin....

Subject: RE: Fiddle bow problem
From: Cod Fiddler
Date: 15 Apr 05 - 12:09 PM

Rosin...

Subject: RE: Fiddle bow problem
From: Davetnova
Date: 15 Apr 05 - 02:46 PM

Yeah, got there. It's new, horsehair and cheap and I'm going to learn to play it.

Subject: RE: Fiddle bow problem
From: Sorcha
Date: 15 Apr 05 - 03:37 PM

Rosin....long strokes, from frog to tip works best.

Subject: RE: Fiddle bow problem
From: Margaret V
Date: 15 Apr 05 - 09:22 PM

And if the rosin itself is new, it seems to help if you scuff its surface up a bit.
Margaret

Subject: RE: Fiddle bow problem
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 16 Apr 05 - 03:19 AM

If rosin does not do it - wipe with highest proofe vodka (alcohol - isopropol is probably best on a terry cloth rag) dry - and then rosin, rosin, and rosin again....my hunch is....you have oils on the horse's tail.

The oils may be from manufactoring, someone's face, or fingers.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Subject: RE: Fiddle bow problem
From: GUEST,Al
Date: 17 Apr 05 - 12:07 AM

It normally takes very little rosin to start a new hank of hair to playing, in my experience. If you've scuffed the rosin cake and have been at it more than a few minutes, I would suspect BAD HAIR.
Al

Subject: RE: Fiddle bow problem
From: Davetnova
Date: 17 Apr 05 - 06:14 AM

once I got the rosin started I got the bow going. The cat wishes I hadn't. I've got alittle rubber mute that hooks over the bridge makes it sound slightly less hellish. This is fun but I;m glad I live on my own.

Subject: RE: Fiddle bow problem
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 17 Apr 05 - 08:12 PM

So violinists can have BAD HAIR days too?

Subject: RE: Fiddle bow problem
From: GUEST,Sorch
Date: 17 Apr 05 - 09:29 PM

Of course we can, if we don't keep it cut short!

Subject: RE: Fiddle bow problem
From: Pauline L
Date: 18 Apr 05 - 12:09 AM

I strongly suggest that you take some lessons. You can get a lovely tone out of your violin after one lesson with a good teacher (like me).

Subject: RE: Fiddle bow problem
From: fiddler
Date: 18 Apr 05 - 03:30 AM

And what is wrong with Long hair sorch?

It makes re hairing bows cheaper (or it could!)

But the answer is Rosing and a cheap bow is probably hardest to stop skating!

Andy

Subject: RE: Fiddle bow problem
From: GUEST,Domnull
Date: 18 Apr 05 - 05:16 AM

I have found that the black rosin is more effective than the amber type. Also definately 'scuff up' a new shiny block.

A local violin dealer/repairer enlightened me as to why bows actually need rehairing from time to time - the hair apparently has lots of hook-like structures (like this: JJJJJJJJ) . When you rosin the bow, the curved end of the hooks retain the rosin. As the bow is used through time, the hooked ends get worn away, so you are left with fine straight strands like this: |||||||||||. Once this happens, you can rub and rub the bow with rosin but it won't stick - time for a re-hair!

Subject: RE: Fiddle bow problem
From: HiHo_Silver
Date: 18 Apr 05 - 12:24 PM

Just to add a quick comment: Horse Hair when examined under a microscope show small hook like appendages. Manufacturers advise me that the better the bow or bow hair, whichever the case, the more time is spent in selecting quality hair and laying it out so that you have preferrably the same number of hairs with the hooks travelling each way. Take this for what it's worth. Cheers