How to Find the PERFECT Cello Bow - An in-depth tutorial on what to look for when buying a cello bow

Comments · 65

• LI

  @LindaWestCellos · 3 years ago

  Before you start comparing bows, there is one little trick we have learned. First, you must determine if the bow is compatible with your cello. We do this at our shop with every bow shopper. We start with a box of bows in the customer&apos;s price range. We have them take the bow, and down-bow the C. Don&apos;t start too close to the frog; start your bow just past the winding. Stop the strings with your left hand, then down bow the G. <br><br>On both the C and G, the bow should get the string moving immediately. If there is any hesitation, babble, burble, whisper, or hiss, the bow and cello are not even compatible. Put it aside, and try the next bow until you have a good selection of bows to do your final testing with. The wood of your cello has a frequency that it likes, as does the bow. The trick is finding the two that like each other and sing immediately.<br><br>In our experience, some cellos like most bows, some cellos like about half the bows, some cellos like bows from certain shops or makers or materials, and some cellos don&apos;t like very many bows. So this exercise is imperative for you to eliminate bows that would only cause you trouble going forward. Imagine trying to play pianissimo on your C or G string with a bow that won&apos;t readily start the string? Or a fast passage with string crossings? If you have access to several bows, try this. remember, start just past the winding (the hair very close to the frog is tighter and gives less than further out) and just do a normal down bow with normal weight. Stop the strings with the left hand, then do the G. Listen. It should start &apos;BAA&apos; without hesitation.

  12

• NE

  @neosceptic6366 · 3 years ago

  One technique that I have found useful in any selection activity is to try the first item (bow, cello, etc.). Then try the second. Whichever one you like best, becomes your reference. Put the one you like least aside. Compare the third item to the reference. If you like it better than the reference, it becomes your new reference. Put the non-reference item aside. Continue this process until you have tried all the candidates.<br>It is easier to compare two items against each other in real time than it is to compare a number of them based on your notes written after each try. If you want to find a second best, set the winner from the first round aside (in a special place) and go through the process again with the remaining items. Hope this helps. Love your videos.

  8

• 99

  @99Raccoon1 · 3 years ago

  Thank you for posting this. Awesome! &nbsp;Best bow analysis I’ve seen on YouTube. I’ve watched many videos.

  2

• DA

  @DanasWellnessHaven · 2 months ago

  This was a great video. I am just beginning my cello journey but you have provided enough information just in this vid alone that tells me I will need a new bow. Since I’m just learning the one I have is “fine” for now. Thank you Carolyn.

• BL

  @bluckstar-j6n · 2 months ago

  Thank you! I am replacing my bow for the first time soon and I really appreciate the tips. Excellent video and clear explanation

• CO

  @constance486 · 4 years ago

  Thank you. I could watch you all day just trying bows ☺️

  3

• JE

  @jessewilliams102 · 3 years ago

  I’m a carpenter and I got some Ipe wood (Brazilian hardwood ) scraps and whittled them down to really nice bows. I like carving different shaped heads and I can make the balance point where I want and i found out you can make it too close to the grip and I have to push down more but it’s nice feeling like a good fencing sword. I’ve done about a dozen now and learned a lot about it and It’s also nice to make your own wand. I encourage everyone to just cut and scrape their own bow because it’s becoming rare to find a good Archetier. Get creative with it.🎉

  5

• DA

  @Dansfanxx · 4 years ago

  So informative, thanks ! It is so clear on your playing demonstration and the close up of the bow when referring to balance point and flexibility.

  5

• DA

  @davidbee8178 · 4 years ago

  In a string shop window in Philadelphia there is this cute sign . . . &nbsp;&quot;The Wand Chooses the Wizard, Mr. Potter&quot; &nbsp; &nbsp;LOVE your excellent videos, Carolyn . . . &nbsp;(BTW, I tried an Arcus bow just recently - an M7 = 72 grams ! ) YIKES . . . sounded really sweet but kinda light AND expensive &nbsp;:- ) &nbsp;You have a great looking/sounding bow!

  4

• OR

  @orcanerdc6204 · 1 year ago (edited)

  I really appreciated my local shop and their expertise. &nbsp;The bit of advice I got that surprised me was this &quot;I know you have a budget, but really do try different ones. &nbsp;Sometimes a bow is only more expensive because it has gold fittings rather than nickel for example and you can still learn from them.&quot; Turns out, I hated all the most expensive ones, as in bowed a quarter of the length and put it back immediately kind of hated. I really loved one in the bottom range they offered and one dead in the middle. &nbsp;I played those two for a while before deciding on the lighter of the two. &nbsp;It turned out to be the less expensive one...still worth more than my cello, though. 😂

  1

• PR

  @Preyceprintz · 1 year ago (edited)

  I recommend for happy music use the shar music Presto, edition carbon fiber, Cello bow

  1

• IR

  @irebustini · 3 years ago

  This is fantastic! I paid about 2K on my cello bows, they are very different wood bows (Pernambuco wood) and one is heavier (on the frog) than the other. Hairs, rosins are also very critical and they can be a matter of preference for cellists. I never realized how critical a very good bow is until I returned my rental and got a professional-grade bow. It is incredible! I know bows can be as expensive as some cellos but it is possible to find good quality bows from 1-3K. Thanks for sharing this.

  1