Revisiting the Best Bow for Octave Violins and Fiddles Question

In an earlier post, I (Don Rickert) presented more or less a summary of what various musicians use to play octave violin or octave fiddle. In that post, I mentioned that the extraordinary 'cellist and also really good fiddler, Natalie Haas, uses a French-style 'cello bow on her octave violin. Natalie has since informed me that she is now using a violin bow. I did not ask her the characteristics of her bow, as we had other business to cover; however, I assume (i.e. if I were her), I would choose a "heavy" violin bow...actually, with some exceptions such as the the ultralight IncrediBows, ALL violin bows weigh in the 56-58 grams range. A "heavy" bow is one whose balance point is further away from the frog, so that it feels heavier and "grabs" the strings with more force.

That update being covered, I will talk about my two favorite bows for octave violin; the Glasser Braided Carbon Fiber Octagonal Viola Bow and the new CodaBow Diamond Series NX Viola Bow, also a "braided" carbon fiber (meaning epoxy-saturated carbon fiber fabric wrapped around a core) bow.

The Glasser is pictured on the left and the CodaBow on the right.

The Glasser's core, as far as I know, is proprietary or I was not paying attention when I was told. The CodaBow's core is composed of Kevlar strands. The Glasser is slightly stiffer, the octagonal shape contributing somewhat to this stiffness, as the octagonal is far stiffer than the Glasser round shaft version of the same bow, which I do not like. The CodaBow has a round shaft but it is plenty stiff, just not so much so as the Glasser.

I have to say, I love both bows. I suppose that the CodaBow feels a little bit more like a really good wooden bow, but nowhere near as bouncy. The CodaBow seems to have a bit more "pull" when a lot of two string chords are involved. The Glasser is a bit faster on melody parts.

Bottom line is that one needs both, but if I had to choose one, I would choose the CodaBow for octave violin, as most of my octave playing is chordal "second fiddle" accompaniment.

Both bows cost about $400 and are, of course, available at Don Rickert Musical Instruments' online store (www.fiddleandbowstore.com).

Comments

[Arlex]

Well done Very professional yet findrely/easy going. I played violin in 5th grade but didn't continue because lessons were too expensive for my family. Just the same, lessons are too expensive for me now. I look forward to practicing with your videos, after 16 years of holding on to my violin, now I get to relearn it. Thank you.

[Ricky]

To think, I was confused a mintue ago.

[Wikkid]

That is so full of win. I need one of those to pull out when one of my students is going on and on about some polrbem they have that they brought upon themselves but still believe entitles them to an extension or some other things-I-don't-give.I could pull it out, and they'd say, What's that? And I would say, It's the tiniest violin in the world .

[Alicja]

I finally let my osledt daughter "take a break" from the violin because she struggled with many of the same things. She loved the idea of being able to make music with it, but hated practicing in front of me (too much of a perfectionist) and being corrected. We discovered that when she could practice along with a CD that demonstrated what it should sound like she did much better. The CD apparently doesn't sound as judgemental as Mommy ;-).She decided that when it stops being fun, she'll stop for a while and pick it up again when the desire to play overwhelms her. Many good thoughts coming your way and Riley's!

[Peter]

Hi,Oh, man this is hard. I hope she keeps trying too.This may not help at all to know, but I was once a litlte kid learning to play the violin, too. Granted, I did not have the same challenges as your daughter, but I was perfectionistic, anxious, lacked gross motor control, and so angry that I could not do it right. I cried and cried. I can't count the number of times that I threw myself down on the bed, yelling to my mom that I couldn't do it, wouldn't ever be able to do it, and wanted to quit. And not just the first year, either...many, many times after that.And now, 20 years later...I'm so glad that she didn't let me quit. It was a struggle for a long time. Violin is a challenging instrument, period. As a teacher, I've seen a lot of emotional litlte kids go through this very same thing, extra challenges or no. I can't tell you what's right for your daughter, or tell you what decision to make. Sometimes, it's not worth it. You are obviously a great and loving mom, and I know you will do the right thing. But I want to encourage you not to give up on her, either. Don't make it a battle, but don't give up yet. I think the violin has made all violinists melt down at one time or another, no matter what our age. And hey - if she decides she doesn't want to, right now or ever, it's ok. There are other instruments, and there will be other chances.

[Elaine]

If you can learn to tune the violin by ylrsueof (keeping it in tune) and take care of rosining the bow. Then come back and ask the question. You are not going to learn the basics of violin on the internet. Get help for the first 6 months and then make a decision.Good Luck

[Linda]

Hi, I'm a visitor from EntreCard.You must have had a blast at the fsvtieal. I started playing the violin when I was 5 years old (we won't bother to think about how many years ago that was!) and I went to many fsvtieals like that both as a participant and as a spectator and they were always such fun!

[Biraj]

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After Reading all of this, I think The Glasser is a perfect choice for someone wanting a durable stick.

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Octave violin is specifically designed to draw all of the sound possible out of such a small instrument. Some players actually prefer converted violins for their style of playing.

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