Scan 24
21882.a.10 – How to hold a violin and bow / C. H. Mitchell., 1882
4 lines. Read by computer on 18 September 2026. No printed page number was found. See the scan on archive.org.
1A question here arises as to the position of the bow with regard to the forefinger. Spohr places it in the hollow of the first joint. But he says, in order that the hand may be able to maintain it parallel with the bridge, and at a right angle to the strings, it is necessary to leave the bow free to oscillate between the thumb and second finger, that it will then be seen that in a full down-stroke the stick advances by degrees towards the middle joint of the forefinger, while the little finger recedes, and that in the long up-stroke, on the contrary, it gradually descends again into the hollow of the first joint of the forefinger, the little finger resuming its original position. This seems a complicated series of motions, and might well lead to uncertainty and danger. It would appear, however, to be the true method to have a sure, yet unconstrained hold, and to maintain this hold throughout, except, perhaps, that the little finger may be raised when the arm is outstretched, particularly if the arm be short, and also for the staccato leggiero on one string. Nevertheless, the writer recommends that this raising of the little finger be altogether avoided.
3The bow, then, ought to be placed in the hollow of the first joint, and on that side of the first joint which is nearest the second joint. It must not be placed in the second joint—a fatal error sometimes committed. The bow rests in the first joint of the middle finger, is on that side of the first joint of the ring finger which is nearest the finger-point, and is almost quite at the point of the little finger. This last-named finger is simply laid upon the stick, and plays an important part in counterbalancing the weight of the bow when the lower third is in use, and in the staccato leggiero, and generally imparts a feeling of security. The root joints of the fingers ought to be as far as possible parallel with the bow. The bow must of course not be held with marked tightness between the thumb and fingers, neither, on the other hand, must it be held too loosely. Returning to the subject with which a parallel has already been instituted—that of penmanship—the force exerted may be compared with that used by a good penman in holding the pen. Such a writer holds the pen firmly, yet without constraint or sense of extraordinary exercise of power. As with the pen, so with the bow: the less force we can do with to secure firmness the better. If the bow be held too tightly, greater exhaustion will be caused, and the power to produce
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