Struggling with choppy violin bow changes? Those jerky transitions killing your legato? In this subscriber-requested guide from Kennedy Violins, expert Joel Kennedy reveals the top 6 reasons why your bow changes aren't smooth—plus targeted exercises to fix each one. Perfect for intermediate violinists ready to master fluid, professional-sounding bow strokes!
Why Smooth Bow Changes Matter
Tension is your enemy. Relaxation is your friend. Every unnecessary muscle activation makes smooth bow changes harder. Fix these 6 common mistakes and watch your legato transform!
Top 6 Reasons for Choppy Violin Bow Changes
| # | Problem | Fix | Exercise |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raised Shoulder | Keep shoulder relaxed & down | Mirror check upbows at frog |
| 2 | Elbow-Wrist Misalignment | Keep elbow same plane as wrist | Laser pointer straight bow |
| 3 | Tight Bow Fingers | Round pinky, bent thumb | Colle bow hold drills |
| 4 | Flat Hair at Extreme Frog | Tilt bow away at frog | Frog-only strokes |
| 5 | No Weight Release | Lighten bicep at bow change | Bicep relaxation pulses |
| 6 | Crooked Bow | Keep bow parallel to bridge | Elbow hinge open/close |
Detailed Fixes: #1-6 Smooth Bow Change Solutions
1. Stop Raising Your Bow Arm Shoulder
Problem: Shoulder cinches up at frog (especially upbows)
Fix: Keep shoulder in natural, relaxed state—like standing normally
• Play slow upbows to frog
• Watch shoulder STAY DOWN
• 4 beats per bow, 10 reps
2. Align Elbow with Wrist
Problem: Dropped elbow (especially E string upbows)
Fix: Elbow & wrist on same horizontal plane
• Tape laser pointer to bow
• Dot should stay straight across strings
• 60 BPM, 8 reps per string
3. Relax Your Bow Fingers
Problem: Locked pinky knuckle + straight thumb
Fix: ROUND PINKY + BENT THUMB = NO LOCKED JOINTS
| WRONG | RIGHT |
|---|---|
| Straight pinky | Curved pinky on stick |
| Locked thumb | Bent thumb (changes by bow position) |
• Hold bow with relaxed fingers
• Shake hand loosely
• 20 seconds x 5 sets
4. Tilt Bow at Extreme Frog
Problem: Flat hair = thumb hits strings + bounce
Fix: Tilt bow slightly AWAY from you at frog
• Upbow to extreme frog only
• Tilt 10-15° away
• Hold 4 beats, 15 reps
5. Release Weight at Bow Changes
Problem: Constant pressure = scratchy changes
Fix: LIGHTEN BICEP MOMENTARILY (feel it in bicep line)
• Slow bow changes at 60 BPM
• Relax bicep on "AND" count
• Reapply weight immediately
• 2 minutes continuous
6. Keep Your Bow Straight
Problem: Locked elbow = crooked bow over fingerboard
Fix: OPEN ELBOW HINGE for straight bow parallel to bridge
• Downbow: Bicep leads, forearm follows
• Upbow: Forearm leads, bicep follows
• Metronome 50 BPM, 10 reps each
Complete Practice Routine: 15-Minute Daily Fix
- Minutes 1-3: Identify YOUR #1 culprit (video record yourself)
-
Minutes 4-10: Slow open string bows (40 BPM)
1-2-3-4 | 1-2-3-4(focus on YOUR fix) -
Minutes 11-13: Simple scale (D major)
2-3-4 | 2-3-4(same focus) -
Minutes 14-15: Slow melody (Bach Air)
Apply smooth changes
