When i play my viola, i often find my thumb doesnt bend properly when i hold my bow, and i find it a bit hard to keep my little finger from sticking out and not balancing on the bow. has anyone got any suggestions on how to improve this?
thanks
jess

That happens to me a lot as well. My teacher keeps reminding me and I just keep checking that I'm holding my bow properly before I play.

That happens to me all the time too. Basically you just have to think about it all the time you're playing until it becomes natural to do it correctly!

Hey!
I had that too - playing cello - esp. early on. So I made a very conscious effort to not bend it the wrong way.... so much so that I ended up gripping with the thumb so hard that my thumb permanently ached - even when I wasn't playing!! Its ok now due to resting it and my teacher urging me not to use a death-grip on the bow hold.
I know a female cellist who uses a rubber thimble (one used for counting money - get them in WHSmith and office places) to make the bow easier to hold and ease the strain and this helps her get that nice bend in the thumb. However, she mounted it ON the bow (had to dismantle to achieve this!) rather than her thumb!!
I think the fact that you are conscious of the problem and keep trying to correct it means you are on the right road to achieving it!

i have that problem, and i rarely cut my nails which means i dont put my little finger in the right place! i dont think you are alone!

ok with my youngest violinist I always use a corn plaster. I stick the plaster at the end of the bow and the little finger stands in the hole. Can also do the same with the plaster for the thumb as long as you position it in the correct place.

frumpybabes

try relaxing, when you're playing the bow won't like..fall, so you don't need to grip that hard and your thumb will be easier to bend, i think

QUOTE (frumpybabes @ Oct 26 2004, 11:08 PM)

ok with my youngest violinist I always use a corn plaster.  I stick the plaster at the end of the bow and the little finger stands in the hole.  Can also do the same with the plaster for the thumb as long as you position it in the correct place.

I put strapping (gaffer tape* is good: very sticky but always removable) around my (bass) bow just to the left of the position that I want my thumb nail to be.

* used for holding down electrical leads at pop gigs. Ask a friendly roadie to give you a small piece.