Scan 58
The American history and encyclopedia of music, 1910
9 lines. Read by computer on 9 September 2026, twice; the two readings disagreed in places. Printed page 30. See the scan on archive.org.
1may retain a slight arch. A straight or stiff finger means effort and consequent loss of strength, flexibility and velocity.
3Fingers of the Right Hand.—It is advisable to adjust the fingers of the right hand on the bow in this manner: open the palm and extend the fingers in the most natural manner, place the bow (by means of the left hand) on the out-stretched fingers so that it will rest in the first joint of the first finger and on the tip of the little finger, and then gently close the hand bringing the thumb and fingers toward each other so that the former will be opposite the middle fingers and, as stated above, not in a flat position with the knuckle turned in but slightly arched out.
5However, before giving the pupil the bow to hold it is best to demonstrate to him the most natural and relaxed position of the right arm. Have him drop his right arm so that it falls in a most natural position, noting that this is with the palm of the hand next to the body. Of course, the angle of this position cannot be exactly maintained when the bow is on the string, but keeping this original position in mind will prevent the student from going to the other extreme, i.e., the common error of forcing the elbow out by too much pressure on the bow by the first finger instead of evenly distributing this pressure among the middle fingers and thumb. one of two readings
6However, before giving the pupil the bow to hold it is best to demonstrate to him the most natural and relaxed position of the right arm. Have him drop his right arm so that it falls in a most natural position, noting that this is with the palm of the hand next to the body. Of course, the angle of this position cannot be exactly maintained when the bow is on the string, but keeping this original position in mind will prevent the student from going to the other extreme, i. e., the common error of forcing the elbow out by too much pressure on the bow by the first finger instead of evenly distributing this pressure among the middle fingers and thumb. one of two readings
8Following up this idea of the normal or natural position of the arm, attention should be called to the position of the thumb in the bow. The usual tendency is to apply it to the bow as if it had its normal position at the foot of the palm of the hand, instead of at the side. This side position of the thumb on the bow is of the utmost importance, as only in this way will the knuckle remain out and the consequent freedom of hand movement be realized. The bow is to be held with the middle fingers and thumb, the first finger guiding, the little finger balancing.
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