Hey Olaf, could you do a video looking at different styles of violin and how to identify them? So French vs Italian vs German vs Bohemian etc? Would be super interesting
I have been living with a 500 Euros bow for 15 years and more and more felt that it was not adequate, for spiccato etc. So I went now to Paris to a bow maker (rue de Rome). I intended to accept a price up to 1500 EU. He made me blindly try 10 bows between 1200 and 2500 EU. I could eliminate 7 bows and finally chose one that seemed to play even without me. So I found my new love. Well, guess, it was 2500 EU. The 1200 EU bows did not make me feel better than my old weak bow. But the new one (Brazil wood, signed Vanelli pernambouc) got me out of a decade long depression thinking that I am a hopeless case as to my right arm. Pure bliss.
I’m still a bit in love with my reproduction baroque bow. It’s so light and easy. I’ve found that practicing with it has even changed my style with my Glasser carbon fibre bow and in a good way!
I bought a new bow for my viola today, and i'm very happy about it! My teacher also really likes it, and it looks really nice as well. Thanks Olaf for your videos! I learned a lot of useful things about string instruments. Greetings from Germany
You are 100% right in what you say. This is the way I chose my new bow. I was lent four and picked them up and put them down after playing for five minutes, then repeated, eliminating one and selecting one. I had a great assortment - two good Chinese, a Brazilian, and a 90-year old German one. The Chinese bows were beautiful, but lively, and I'm not a good enough player to control them. I took them all back, kept the German one and borrowed three more. It was huge fun and I played a LOT that week. I bought the German one (now 100+ years old) and it complements my 200 year-old Saxon violin well. Do what Olaf says, guys!
This is really helpful! I started playing cello again after a year and a half break and immediately I noticed that the bow I had bought three years ago is far too heavy. It's amazing to me how I ever played with it!
I am learning cello and I went to a violin shop and just toyed around with the expensive bows . That's how I knew I needed a new bow; the others just felt better ( I would add they sounded better, but the instrument was a very nice one and not my student cello). When I went bow shopping, I thought my beginner self would really struggle to tell a difference, but each bow was unique, though of course some were similar. I also learned high end cello bows tend to be heavy and I don't like that, so even if I'd had 2k for the most expensive bow they had, I wouldn't have gotten it. The shop keeper advised me to try all price ranges because sometimes a really nice bow is less expensive because the frog or some other component is a less expensive material, but it's still a really good bow. I definitely noticed that when I was trying them. A very interesting experience! So lesson learned, 1) playing with things you totally can't afford isn't a waste of time 2) listen to your hands and ears, not the price tag
Thank you olaf for the very useful info, as I had recently broken my first violin bow I am planning to buy a new one so these tips, ways and everything you covered in this video was really helpful. So thank you for that
Funny thing is, my bow costed more than my violin. In todays money it is around 1500 $. The violin shop in München was very kind and let me try many different ones. I fully agree that you play easier with the bow you are comfortable with. So Olaf is right.
Perfect timing olaf! I am in need of a new bow and this video was very helpful. I'm pretty sure I'm going to find a bow that fits me perfectly thanks to you! Thanks again!
I love your videos! You are brilliant doing this stand up comedy full of great advice! I am a beginner with a rental but know I want a really good one now to last years
Dear Olaf, I have a 100 year old German bow that was made by Gustav Wunderlich in Leipzig. I didn’t know much about this maker until I purchased it in a small violin boutique shop in New York City. This is the bow I currently use, pretty comfortable to play and makes decent sound. One concern that I have in my head that I finally got to ask you is that this bow has actually been grafted underneath of the silver winding. I kept coming back to this one after trying 5 other bows. I believe it is well repaired as the stick itself is straight and bounces well when I want it to. My question #1: Will this be problematic in the future? Question #2: Since this bow is already 100 year old, does that mean it is not going to last for another 50 years? I enjoy your show very much and am also a big fan of two set! I learn so much from your show that really change the way I look at the violin. Thank you very much.
4:48 "Which one gives you a nicer tone" following the question " which one works better for you" . THIS you have to be careful with! My friend had to choose between a Hill $5600 AUD and a Voirin $9000 and they loved the feel of the Voirin yet it "crushed" the tone of their instrument. The Hill gave the best sound: immediate response (in terms of what the audience could hear), lovely spiccato, projection overall ..... I truly believe they had the price in their head leading them toward the "correct" bow. It's not always the case. And even modern Brazilian bows at $2500 AUD can produce the best tone potentially for your violin. So please try to disregard the price....
I have a pernambucco bow that I've used for years now (and I love it!). It's a viola bow but I've used it on my violin as well since it's the only decent bow I own. Is there any other issues than eventually killing the sound of the instrument that can occur by using a viola bow on a violin? :) (I'm a violist who happens to own violins.) Thanks for another good video!
Nothing apart of it maybe resulting a bit harder than it should be to play your violin, as the only difference between these bows is that viola bows weigh about 10 grams more.
Since vow and instrumental compliment each other do you buy them together? If so how? 6 bows and six violins will require 36 test runs in the first pass.
Hello Olaf, is it still a thing to balance your bow on your pointer finger to check its balance? A good balanced bow will balance closer to the frog about 1/4 to a bit less than a third of way across the bow. That is what I was taught. Thank you for your insight.
Hi Olaf, I was wondering about your thoughts on violin retailers (not luthiers lol) that sell "strad copy" (or basically any famous maker copy) violins at prices too good to be true. In my country they're starting to dominate the beginner-intermediate market, but they don't seem to be made well, they do look good aesthetically and most beginners really can't tell a good instrument which leads to, you know.
Guten tag aus Norgwegen! I just got my hands on a bass, but the bow is basically useless, I have no idea about the worth of it, so I'm not quite sure if I'll just buy a new bow, and/or get it restored.
What do you think of the Fiddlerman Carbon fiber bow? It's about 60 usd(it's on sale right now)? I've heard good things about it, and it's pretty cheap
I try not to comment on shops and what they sell. I work on giving you the best tools to make a good choice. If they have a money back policy, you can try it. All the best 🙂
I walked into a violinmaker half a year ago and asked for a cheapest bow coz im a beginner anyway. It cost usd25. I have been struggling with all bowing techniques (ok cannot blame all to the bows). How wrong can i get...
when i seen somehwere else bows are cost really really so much for high end pros i was suprised .so probably everyone know hilary hahn using ancient expensive violin dunno maybe 15m ok thats tresure but bows as well.i was amazed.like olaf point out 100-300 dolar bows probably used small orchestra or student university conservatory etc like 3-5k worth violins with .so even frshy build bow good quality cost few k and instudment decently cost 15-20k and that like start. so when i see those istorical bows were like 600-700k or even some few milion my chin droped before last year didnt think bow this valueble and imprtant ofc important but didnt know this much so custom made ny flarmoniy etc people probably paying several thosands of dollars so olaf point out for avoid super cheap basic bad violins and bows i dont know why.like cheap electro guitars as long not fatally wrongly build its ok for regular people.classical or acustic gutar cheap low gutars not always but can be ok too but when y come to violin dont know why butcheap not working at all. im not musican i try im not skilled not willing enough and not have any talent so i give up when i teenager .low cost insturment work with people moslty can learn and advance then they get really what they need it so probably 100-200 dolar wpend on gutar work well for begineer its still help.but they said violin at crush people becouse of cheap voilion hard to work not sound good result more people giving up becouse of they think problem is themself. even total clueless me learn little about it i hope olaf and lot of other people at tubes help to future people choose better and learn better.
I dont know how to explain thism but im trying out a new bow, around 150US$, and i feel like i can hear a faint sound under the notes. Almost like the sound it makes when the bow isnt rosined, expect it is. It plays out loud, but still has that faint sound behind. Is it normal? Its a wood bow Thanks!
Hey olaf I want to ask something, does weather affects the bow and the Hair itself? I've noticed that my bow hair is kinda easy to broke when I'm playing, I mean it's not really a big problem it's just a strand or two but does weather affects it? The weather on my place is really cold (not snowing, just cold) and is it a really big problem?
non of this really makes sense, the workmanship is worth something and the material is worth something, but how in this equation do you justify a range of a factor of 100's?
Any Pernambuco bow under $500 is junk. It would be best for all students (beginning to intermediate) should use a fiberglass or carbon bow. A very good bow never causes a bouncing action as you play softly and slowly with no weight, whether down bow or up bow. If even bounces once all by itself, its no good. I personally like heavy stiff bows.
@@AskOlaftheViolinmaker Any suggestions? I'm pretty much by myself, aside from the luthier that has my grandpa's violin for restoration. He advised against me using the bow that's with the violin and to spend around 500 usd for a bow. I'm a beginner through & through.
Haha this is such a good coincidence, I'm literally in the middle of selecting a new bow! Thanks Olaf!
Hey Olaf, could you do a video looking at different styles of violin and how to identify them? So French vs Italian vs German vs Bohemian etc? Would be super interesting
I have been living with a 500 Euros bow for 15 years and more and more felt that it was not adequate, for spiccato etc. So I went now to Paris to a bow maker (rue de Rome). I intended to accept a price up to 1500 EU. He made me blindly try 10 bows between 1200 and 2500 EU. I could eliminate 7 bows and finally chose one that seemed to play even without me. So I found my new love. Well, guess, it was 2500 EU. The 1200 EU bows did not make me feel better than my old weak bow. But the new one (Brazil wood, signed Vanelli pernambouc) got me out of a decade long depression thinking that I am a hopeless case as to my right arm. Pure bliss.
I’m still a bit in love with my reproduction baroque bow. It’s so light and easy. I’ve found that practicing with it has even changed my style with my Glasser carbon fibre bow and in a good way!
I really love my glasses bow too
I wish, i had had such a guide for my first bow😅
Same!!!
Me tooooo
Good morning Olaf! and thanks for making all the videos! All best!
The edits are on fire in this video!
I bought a new bow for my viola today, and i'm very happy about it! My teacher also really likes it, and it looks really nice as well.
Thanks Olaf for your videos! I learned a lot of useful things about string instruments.
Greetings from Germany
I have a WE Hill bow I bough for almost nothing and it's so much nicer to play with than my Klaus Becker. It's crazy how much difference a bow makes.
Always nice to hear from Olaf
You are 100% right in what you say. This is the way I chose my new bow. I was lent four and picked them up and put them down after playing for five minutes, then repeated, eliminating one and selecting one. I had a great assortment - two good Chinese, a Brazilian, and a 90-year old German one. The Chinese bows were beautiful, but lively, and I'm not a good enough player to control them. I took them all back, kept the German one and borrowed three more. It was huge fun and I played a LOT that week. I bought the German one (now 100+ years old) and it complements my 200 year-old Saxon violin well. Do what Olaf says, guys!
This is EXCELLENT information. Really solid advice. Listen to Olaf!
This is really helpful! I started playing cello again after a year and a half break and immediately I noticed that the bow I had bought three years ago is far too heavy. It's amazing to me how I ever played with it!
I am learning cello and I went to a violin shop and just toyed around with the expensive bows . That's how I knew I needed a new bow; the others just felt better ( I would add they sounded better, but the instrument was a very nice one and not my student cello). When I went bow shopping, I thought my beginner self would really struggle to tell a difference, but each bow was unique, though of course some were similar. I also learned high end cello bows tend to be heavy and I don't like that, so even if I'd had 2k for the most expensive bow they had, I wouldn't have gotten it. The shop keeper advised me to try all price ranges because sometimes a really nice bow is less expensive because the frog or some other component is a less expensive material, but it's still a really good bow. I definitely noticed that when I was trying them. A very interesting experience! So lesson learned, 1) playing with things you totally can't afford isn't a waste of time 2) listen to your hands and ears, not the price tag
Truly was looking forward to this video, and he didn't disappoint! Yay Olaf!
Thank you olaf for the very useful info, as I had recently broken my first violin bow I am planning to buy a new one so these tips, ways and everything you covered in this video was really helpful. So thank you for that
I can say it's really a long process to find the right bow, but finally it's a amazing, how a good bow change your performance... 😎
I just bought a cello bow 2 weeks ago, would have needed that video before! 🥺
Funny thing is, my bow costed more than my violin. In todays money it is around 1500 $. The violin shop in München was very kind and let me try many different ones. I fully agree that you play easier with the bow you are comfortable with. So Olaf is right.
I use a Schumann $89.00 Hybrid Carbon fibre bow from Simply for Strings in Brisbane Australia. I love these bows
Thank you soooo much!! I will buy a knew bow Saturday for my 13th birthday, I can use this advise very much!!
Maybe next one about bridge? German/French type, difference between them?
Nice video, very helpful. Thanks 😀
Olaf, great tips for selecting a bow. Thank you for taking the time to produce this video. Happy new year, from Washington, DC!
Perfect timing olaf! I am in need of a new bow and this video was very helpful. I'm pretty sure I'm going to find a bow that fits me perfectly thanks to you! Thanks again!
I'm finally kind of early to one of your videos 😄 great content as always Olaf, keep it up
I love your videos! You are brilliant doing this stand up comedy full of great advice! I am a beginner with a rental but know I want a really good one now to last years
Thank you!
I have a student in the market for a new bow. I’m gonna send this off to her!
Great advices ! I choosed my bow the same way you describe and I am very happy with it.
Great video and always so helpful and informative
Dear Olaf, I have a 100 year old German bow that was made by Gustav Wunderlich in Leipzig. I didn’t know much about this maker until I purchased it in a small violin boutique shop in New York City. This is the bow I currently use, pretty comfortable to play and makes decent sound. One concern that I have in my head that I finally got to ask you is that this bow has actually been grafted underneath of the silver winding. I kept coming back to this one after trying 5 other bows. I believe it is well repaired as the stick itself is straight and bounces well when I want it to.
My question #1: Will this be problematic in the future?
Question #2: Since this bow is already 100 year old, does that mean it is not going to last for another 50 years?
I enjoy your show very much and am also a big fan of two set! I learn so much from your show that really change the way I look at the violin. Thank you very much.
ayeee hello olaf!! i love your content so much!!
4:48 "Which one gives you a nicer tone" following the question " which one works better for you" .
THIS you have to be careful with!
My friend had to choose between a Hill $5600 AUD and a Voirin $9000 and they loved the feel of the Voirin yet it "crushed" the tone of their instrument. The Hill gave the best sound: immediate response (in terms of what the audience could hear), lovely spiccato, projection overall .....
I truly believe they had the price in their head leading them toward the "correct" bow. It's not always the case. And even modern Brazilian bows at $2500 AUD can produce the best tone potentially for your violin. So please try to disregard the price....
Of course my friend went with the Voirin because it was more expensive and felt great. It's just not the best match with his violin unfortunately.
I have a pernambucco bow that I've used for years now (and I love it!). It's a viola bow but I've used it on my violin as well since it's the only decent bow I own. Is there any other issues than eventually killing the sound of the instrument that can occur by using a viola bow on a violin? :) (I'm a violist who happens to own violins.) Thanks for another good video!
Nothing apart of it maybe resulting a bit harder than it should be to play your violin, as the only difference between these bows is that viola bows weigh about 10 grams more.
Since vow and instrumental compliment each other do you buy them together? If so how? 6 bows and six violins will require 36 test runs in the first pass.
Hello Olaf, is it still a thing to balance your bow on your pointer finger to check its balance? A good balanced bow will balance closer to the frog about 1/4 to a bit less than a third of way across the bow. That is what I was taught. Thank you for your insight.
any thoughts on August Rau violin bow, considering getting one. any thoughts would be greatly appreciated
Cello and double bass??
You have good ears, my friend!
Thanks for listening :)
Also are you willing to send 5-6 bows for me to try? ;) :D
Hi Olaf, I was wondering about your thoughts on violin retailers (not luthiers lol) that sell "strad copy" (or basically any famous maker copy) violins at prices too good to be true. In my country they're starting to dominate the beginner-intermediate market, but they don't seem to be made well, they do look good aesthetically and most beginners really can't tell a good instrument which leads to, you know.
Hi, I made a few videos about what to look for.
Some are good and some are not... the set up is really important as well.
Guten tag aus Norgwegen! I just got my hands on a bass, but the bow is basically useless, I have no idea about the worth of it, so I'm not quite sure if I'll just buy a new bow, and/or get it restored.
If I am going to get a new violin and a new bow, should I get the violin first to see how the violin and bow sound together?
Brazil wood and Pernambuco are the same?
What do you think of the Fiddlerman Carbon fiber bow? It's about 60 usd(it's on sale right now)? I've heard good things about it, and it's pretty cheap
I'm a student violist, not sure if that makes a huge difference
I try not to comment on shops and what they sell.
I work on giving you the best tools to make a good choice.
If they have a money back policy, you can try it.
All the best 🙂
Nickel v. Silver--any difference in sound or playability?
The Bow chooses the Player, like the Wand chooses the Wizard ;)
I walked into a violinmaker half a year ago and asked for a cheapest bow coz im a beginner anyway. It cost usd25. I have been struggling with all bowing techniques (ok cannot blame all to the bows). How wrong can i get...
when i seen somehwere else bows are cost really really so much for high end pros i was suprised .so probably everyone know hilary hahn using ancient expensive violin dunno maybe 15m
ok thats tresure but bows as well.i was amazed.like olaf point out 100-300 dolar bows probably used small orchestra or student university conservatory etc like 3-5k worth violins with .so even frshy build bow good quality cost few k and instudment decently cost 15-20k and that like start.
so when i see those istorical bows were like 600-700k or even some few milion my chin droped
before last year didnt think bow this valueble and imprtant ofc important but didnt know this much
so custom made ny flarmoniy etc people probably paying several thosands of dollars
so olaf point out for avoid super cheap basic bad violins and bows
i dont know why.like cheap electro guitars as long not fatally wrongly build its ok for regular people.classical or acustic gutar cheap low gutars not always but can be ok too
but when y come to violin dont know why butcheap not working at all.
im not musican i try im not skilled not willing enough and not have any talent so i give up when i teenager .low cost insturment work with people moslty can learn and advance then they get really what they need it so probably 100-200 dolar wpend on gutar work well for begineer its still help.but they said violin at crush people becouse of cheap voilion hard to work not sound good result more people giving up becouse of they think problem is themself.
even total clueless me learn little about it i hope olaf and lot of other people at tubes help to future people choose better and learn better.
I dont know how to explain thism but im trying out a new bow, around 150US$, and i feel like i can hear a faint sound under the notes. Almost like the sound it makes when the bow isnt rosined, expect it is. It plays out loud, but still has that faint sound behind. Is it normal? Its a wood bow Thanks!
Hey olaf I want to ask something, does weather affects the bow and the Hair itself? I've noticed that my bow hair is kinda easy to broke when I'm playing, I mean it's not really a big problem it's just a strand or two but does weather affects it? The weather on my place is really cold (not snowing, just cold) and is it a really big problem?
So the bow chooses the player - one for Harry, and one for Hermione.
Manage to be last
This comment is random so don't judge it
Why does your lighting look a bit hazy - all the colors in your room are somehow very pastel compared to normal?
What's wrong about german bows?
non of this really makes sense, the workmanship is worth something and the material is worth something, but how in this equation do you justify a range of a factor of 100's?
Any Pernambuco bow under $500 is junk. It would be best for all students (beginning to intermediate) should use a fiberglass or carbon bow. A very good bow never causes a bouncing action as you play softly and slowly with no weight, whether down bow or up bow. If even bounces once all by itself, its no good. I personally like heavy stiff bows.
Trying out things when you have no experience is pretty much pointless, no?
Definitely... take someone with you who does or buy of a reputable maker that has your interests at heart.
@@AskOlaftheViolinmaker Any suggestions? I'm pretty much by myself, aside from the luthier that has my grandpa's violin for restoration.
He advised against me using the bow that's with the violin and to spend around 500 usd for a bow.
I'm a beginner through & through.
I don't think you need to spend $500 if you are a beginner. Get a good beginner bow around $200 and then spend more once you can tell the difference.