There are several key ways to improve your violin tone. A violin teacher can help you learn the basics, but outside of private lessons, it’s up to you to practice proper technique.
For starters, mastering correct bowing will improve your tone dramatically. Check out the video below for a few quick tips to work on your bowing skills.
Now without further ado, here are 5 more important things to consider that can make a huge impact on your violin tone:
1. Pressure of the Bow
This can affect tonal quality, so experiment with adding slight pressure and increasing it as you draw the bow.
The first finger of your bowing hand is where most of the pressure is applied. You’ll want to work with a qualified teacher on this, since bowing technique is such a critical aspect of learning to play well.
2. Where the Bow is Applied is on the Strings
You’ll find there’s a “sweet spot” where the strings are the most responsive to the drawing of the bow without any harshness in tone. Every violin is different, so you’ll want to experiment with yours.
Many times this might be directly between the end of the fingerboard and the bridge. If you play above the fingerboard, you’ll notice the violin loses presence and volume. (Keep in mind, though, that some songs call for this mellow tone.)
3. Keeping Your Bow Straight
As you draw the bow over the strings, you’ll want to focus on keeping the bow as straight as possible. Try practicing this technique by drawing the bow from the lowest part to the tip of the bow.
As you draw the bow its entire length, carefully observe the angle you’re playing at, and make sure that you’re drawing a straight line across the strings.
Keep the speed of the bow consistent, and be careful to allow the bow to exert its own pressure against the string with natural gravity.
4. The Amount of Rosin You Apply
If you have too much rosin, there will be a scratchy sound as you draw the bow. With too little, the tone will seem to disappear as you draw the bow.
If you find that you’ve applied too much rosin, do not attempt to clean the hair. Cleaners and oils can ruin the capability of the hair to grab the string and create a clear pitch. It’s best to play until the rosin slowly dissipates.
5. Your Grip on the Bow
A few things to consider include: do not grip your bow too tightly, do not add unnecessary pressure to the bow, be sure to rest your little finger on the top of the bow, and keep your entire bowing arm and hand as relaxed as possible.
Playing without added tension will also help you to prevent discomfort and injury. Check out this guide to playing pain free for more tips.
Looking for a violin teacher near you? Find your perfect teacher here!
Suzy S.