Your Fourth Violin Lesson: Bow Basics

In this class we will introduce using the bow for the first time. Bow position will be taught, with time for individual feedback for each student. We will start with bow care, then learn how to place the fingers on the bow. 'Rosin bowing' exercises and then bowing on the strings will be introduced. We will study exercises ~58-64 in the String Basics method book; it is not necessary to have mastered 1-57 before taking this class.

Students need to already know how to hold their violin under their chin with correct posture; this skill can come from prior classes with me (Violin for Beginners: Holding Your Instrument and Plucking the Strings) or other lessons that they have taken. Students also need to know how to read the notes A and D in their music. Students will not need to know how to place left hand fingers on the strings for this class, as we will use open strings only.

Materials needed: Violin that is functional and tuned including a bow, rosin, music stand, 'String Basics' Book 1 violin method book, pencil, orange highlighter, pink highlighter. A violin shoulder rest that attaches to the violin is highly recommended (a soft cloth or sponge rubber banded to the violin are makeshift options).