William Fitzpatrick - violin expert

Videos for Violinists: Styrofoam

Learn how a piece of styrofoam can help with your bow draw

In this video, Prof. Fitzpatrick tells you how to draw your bow correctly by bending your right wrist like a piece of styrofoam.

Released on January 18, 2023

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DISCLAIMER: The views and the opinions expressed in this video are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Virtual Sheet Music and its employees.

Video Transcription

So I tell students that this should be very level, you know? And I tell them that it should bend or whatever, but it should be flexible. Well, how flexible? How do you make something like this, like a piece of wood? Maybe that's the wrong kind of imagery to use. How about a piece of styrofoam? Something that's flat like this, but bends, but comes back. Flat bends. I think I like this idea. What do you think about that? Catch a bow.

It's all straight. It's like styrofoam.
Automatic video-to-text transcription by DaDaScribe.com
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Comments, Questions, Requests:

William Strickler * VSM MEMBER * on January 18, 2023 @10:00 pm PST
Funny, I just saw a young violinist a few days ago that was snapping hard at each end of the bow stroke. I think snapping will sooner or later cause tendon problems. I like "Styrofoam" better. Like a spring coming back to its home position, not an over active jerk. Looks like you extend slightly (bend) at the end of a bow and un-extend (unbend) at the same time you change bow direction. Things to think about. Thanks! I could not hear her above the Grand Piano, but I would think her snap would cause a slight scratchy sound as the rosin over-grips the medal string that has just flexed the other way.
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