How to hold a violin bow: games for kids

A good bow hold is curved, soft, and balanced. The thumb bends, the fingers drape over the stick, and the little finger sits on top. Children take months to get it right, and that is normal. This page shows where each finger goes and gives eight games that build the hold a minute at a time.

Your child’s teacher has the last word. Teachers differ on small points, and the hold changes as a child grows.

Where each finger goes

Finger	Where it goes	What to look for
Thumb	The tip touches the stick, just beside the frog, the black block at the end	A bent thumb, like a small bump
Middle finger	Over the stick, across from the thumb	A soft curve
Ring finger	Beside the middle finger, resting on the frog	A soft curve
Index finger	On the stick, a little apart from the others	It leans, and it does not hook
Little finger	The tip sits on top of the stick	Curved, like a small arch

Many teachers of young children start with the thumb on the outside of the frog, underneath, and move it to the usual place later. If your child’s teacher does this, follow the teacher.

Start with a pencil

A bow is long and heavy at the far end. A pencil is light. Many methods teach the shape of the hand on a pencil first.

1. Hold a pencil level in the left hand.
2. Make a circle with the right thumb and middle finger, and put it around the pencil.
3. Let the other fingers fall into place.
4. Let go with the left hand.

When the pencil hold looks relaxed, try the same thing on the bow. Hold the bow near the middle at first, where it balances.

The bunny

Teachers of small children often use a picture. The middle and ring fingers hang over the stick as the bunny’s teeth, and the thumb bends up to meet them. The index and little fingers are the ears. Then the ears come down to rest on the stick.

The three common mistakes

A straight thumb. A thumb that locks straight makes the whole hand stiff. Remind your child to “make a bump.”

A flat or flying little finger. The little finger balances the weight of the bow. It needs to be curved, with its tip on the stick.

A tight grip. White knuckles mean the hand is squeezing. The bow is held, not gripped. Ask your child to hold it as if it were a baby bird.

Eight games

Each game takes less than a minute. Do two or three before practice.

1. Rocket. Hold the bow straight up. Lift it toward the ceiling and bring it down again, without letting the hold change.
2. Windshield wipers. Hold the bow straight up. Tip it to the left and to the right.
3. Stir the soup. Point the bow down and stir a big pot in slow circles.
4. Pinky taps. Hold the bow level. Tap the little finger on the stick ten times. Keep it curved.
5. Spider. Hold the bow straight up. Crawl the fingers up the stick to the middle and back down.
6. Pass the bow. Make the hold, then hand the bow to a parent. Take it back and make the hold again. Count how many good holds in a row.
7. Balance the ring. Hang a small ring or a hair tie on the tip of the bow. Hold the bow level so the ring stays on.
8. Freeze. The child walks around with the bow. When the parent says “freeze,” the parent checks the thumb and the little finger.

How to help without nagging

• Check one thing a day. Monday is thumb day. Tuesday is pinky day.
• Use a signal. A tap on your own thumb reminds a child without a word.
• Praise the shape, not the sound. “Your thumb stayed bent the whole time.”
• Keep it short. A good hold for ten seconds is worth more than a poor one for ten minutes.
• Stop when the hand is tired. A tired hand squeezes.

Helpers

Shops sell small rubber grips that fit on the frog and give the thumb and little finger a place to sit. Some teachers like them for young beginners, and some do not. Ask before you buy.

How long it takes

A relaxed bow hold takes time. Expect the teacher to adjust it for the first year or two, and to keep an eye on it for much longer.

For the bow itself, read how to rosin a violin bow. For first pieces, read first violin songs for kids and the Twinkle variations explained. For more ways to make practice light, read practice games for young music students.