Well I've played the violin since 6th grade, but I went to the unlucky school that went through almost 3 teachers each year, in which I was not properly tought how to hold the bow and etc. And now 5 years from 6th grade, my bad techniques are catching up with me.

I have a REALLY bad bow hold and no one has corrected me since. I've been trying my best to hold it right, but it keeps going back to it's sloppy position! Thanks to my current position, my bow bounces alot when I need to lift and play a note right after and it gets very frustrating. It also bounces a little when I go from one string to another.

I try to keep my thumb and pinky finger as bent as possible, but as soon as I start playing they both go straight.

I'm actually surprised I still have stayed concertmaster all these years, only to find out I have the worst techniques of the whole orchestra.

I do want to play at a professional level as I want to do this for the rest of my life! but I'm having doubts now with my bad techniques...


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Maybe I'm asking for words of encouragement to keep going? I don't know, I truly am trying my best to fix this, but I seem to be getting nowhere

Thanks to all who read this

Listen,you play in orchestra and you play violin for so long-you should be lucky,there are so many people-me first,who would give anything to play,first for so long,and second in orchestra. You should be happy and just keep trying,believe me,you just have to practise hard and never give up. If you really like violin. Just don't give up,and keep trying!

First of all you have to find a good teacher. He or she will help you with you bad techniques, or maybe you can ask the leader of the orchestra to help you.

I've only played violin for 5 yrs but I know that Every muscian goes through a point where they don't feel like they aren't going to get any further and thats the point where they all usually quit, either its too hard or they don't they think they'll get any better or they compare themselves to others (which I do alot) and it can REALLY put you down. But what you can do is of course don't give up , perhaps you need a new bow or at least get it re-haired and like what lolliepop said get a teacher until then try doing scales and etudes these things will help you more than you'll ever know. What you can probably do about holding the bow is try relaxing your hand more when playing.

A little excercise I learned is just hold the bow in your hand as relaxed as possible (but still holding it the right way)and practice moving your hand up and down the bow working to relax it. Try it b4 you play.

Hope this helped Don't give up!

Hey I just had a violin lesson and studied alot on bow techniques and learned that if you tilt the bow a bit it won't bounce so much.

You may be putting too much pressure on your pinky. I had the same problem, in fact I have almost an identical situation to you, but my teacher is working hard on fixing those problems. You really shouldn't need much pressure at all on your pinky all the bow pressure used to create louder dynamics should be applied with the thumb and pointer finger. Try just playing on an open string only using your thumb and pointer finger, and then start your practice on songs using the normal bow hold. I hope this helped

I know exactly how you you feel exept i was luck enough to get a really great teacher the third time around. i spent a whole year playing the same tow basic pieces as my technique was being corrected the whole time. but it was totally worth it because now i am quite confident in my skills and it feels so great to master something that gets you down and holds you back. i also made concertmaster, but out of three violinists this wasn't really much of an achievement, so good for you, you clearly sound alright!

Just because you can't get a single thing, doesn't mean you give up on your instrument!
You are so lucky that you can even play the violin..
My teacher even had to go the doctor once because her posture was bad for so long...
I definetely think that quitting isn't the way to go...
take some lessons...get some advice..and start working....
Maybe you don't realize it now...but violin will be the best thing that ever interrupted your life..
Believe me...DON'T QUIT!!! (you'll regret it)....mark my words....LOL

well one college professor once said, if you dont want to practice etc etc, then go ahead and quit, better yet give your instrument to someone who is hungry to play.

But if that man were here I tell him to shove it.

I've had my share of bad times, like you i had terrible posture problems, but my teacher and a mirror soon cured that. Just keep working at it. Find yourself a decent teacher and look at yourself in the mirror while you play. It really helps!

check out this site for some lessons www.violinmasterclass.com