Giveaway Contest!!! Things 4 Strings® Studio Kit: ​Bow Hold Buddies®

Giveaway Contest!!!

11/10/2018

Things 4 Strings® Studio Kit:
Bow Hold Buddies®

Every violinists and violin teacher knows the challenge involved with developing a balanced bow hold.

What if there were a way to have constant guidance supporting correct bow hand technique?

I have good news because this already exists with the Things 4 Strings® product solutions for learning and teaching the violin.

Founder Ruth Brons has generously agreed to share a Things 4 Strings® Studio Kit: Bow Hold Buddies®: Bright Blue ($285 value) with one of the Music for Young Violinists teachers.

Things 4 Strings® accessories allow beginning string players the benefits of a relaxed and effective bow hold right from their very first lesson. Eliminating the need for constant bow hold corrections, these learning aids speed players to better tone and bow control. Made in the USA, these accessories are molded of the finest medical-grade silicone rubber, are durable enough for years of use by many students, and are suitable for all bow and hand sizes.

Launched in 2009, Things 4 Strings® patented accessories have rapidly achieved popularity with studio and classroom teachers worldwide. "Your products are really wonderful. I think the fish is for every beginning student a must!" - Nadya Canahuati, MM in Performance & String Pedagogy with Mimi Zweig

Accessory inventor and studio teacher Ruth Brons has been honored for her work advancing strings education by the American String Teachers Association (ASTA) with the prestigious Kudos Award. “A Things 4 Strings accessory dramatically reduce the time it takes students to master a proper bow hold. Students' energy can be redirected towards other challenges. Better skills, greater joy!” said Brons.

To enter, post in the comments below in 10 words or less your biggest challenge with helping students master their bowhold.

Winner will be chosen at random at the end of November.

Music for Young Violinists is honored to help spread the good news about the work of Things 4 Strings LLC. Learn more about these innovative solutions to support your music making here on their website HERE.

141 Comments

Elizabeth Johnson

11/11/2018 08:32:21 am

Helping students gain muscle memory in fun, new techniques.

Heather Figi

11/11/2018 09:38:52 am

Thanks Elizabeth and good luck! Heather

Francis Chapman

11/11/2018 04:00:54 pm

I found the bow buddies use for all ages

11/11/2018 05:17:38 pm

Great to hear! Thanks Francis and good luck, Heather

Arlene Patterson link

11/20/2018 07:31:34 am

Child’s thumb is hidden.

Rebecca link

11/11/2018 08:59:23 am

Helping students find a hold that doesn’t include gripping, clenching, unnecessary tension, and a stiff, straight 4th finger.

11/11/2018 09:39:22 am

Thanks Rebecca and good luck! Heather

Barbara L Kieffer

11/11/2018 09:49:48 am

Teaching students to understand the grip - what role each finger and the thumb play in the execution and mastering of the bow-hold.

11/11/2018 10:11:27 am

Thanks Barbara and good luck! Heather

Kristen

11/11/2018 10:01:55 am

The thumb or the pinky...always a challenge!

11/11/2018 10:11:54 am

Thanks Kristen and good luck! Heather

Nancy

11/11/2018 10:16:00 am

My bow hold. I always find myself with a straight pinky and thumb.

11/11/2018 05:18:31 pm

Thanks Nancy & good luck! Heather

Karla

11/11/2018 10:20:36 am

Lack of confidence in what they're doing and the pinky.

11/11/2018 05:18:58 pm

Thanks Karla & good luck! Heather

Ellen M Burrows

11/11/2018 10:24:16 am

Convincing them not to overthink it - it's actually quite natural .

11/11/2018 05:19:27 pm

Great attitude! Thanks Ellen, Heather

Joy Anna

11/11/2018 10:30:34 am

Consistency-good bow hold at home as well as lessons!

11/11/2018 05:19:50 pm

Thanks Joy & Good luck! Heather

Cheryl Ludwig

11/11/2018 10:50:53 am

I find that some children have trouble keeping a secure grip as their fingers flex with the movement of the bow. Their grip will either lose its shape or will travel up the bow and the fingers are no longer in proper contact with the frog.

11/11/2018 06:21:17 pm

Thanks Cheryl & good luck!!! Heather

Sylvie

11/11/2018 11:05:29 am

Maintaining that bumpy thumb and curved pinky is our biggest challenge for the bow hold!

11/11/2018 06:22:59 pm

Love these basics! Thanks & good luck, Heather

Joanna link

11/11/2018 11:20:25 am

Convincing students that they can relax muscles and not grip.

11/12/2018 08:11:23 am

We can relate - thanks Joanna & good luck! Heather

Elizabeth link

11/11/2018 11:34:58 am

My biggest challenge with helping beginning students develop a proper bow hold is getting students to release tension, have a natural curve to their hand and have fingers that are neither spread to far apart or held too close together. In addition, I have student who struggle with the “banana thumb” that hyperextends backwards and slides through the frog.

11/12/2018 08:11:49 am

Thanks Elizabeth & good luck! Heather

Carole

11/11/2018 11:49:48 am

My biggest challenge with young violinists is the size difference in hands. Sometimes their dexterity is not as natural if they have not yet morphed out of their young body stage. When a child has "chubbier" hands and fingers sometimes difficult to teach and achieve the natural bow hold.
The result of which sometimes becomes the "club" bow hold.
I do already use the "seat belt" as well as the manicure toes accessory and this does work for some but not all.

11/12/2018 08:12:29 am

Thanks Carole, I think you would find great success with these products. Good luck! Heather

Shawn Boucke link

11/11/2018 12:09:58 pm

Muscle development to keep a curved pinky and thumb.

11/12/2018 08:12:51 am

Thanks Shawn & good luck! Heather

Virginia Lamboley link

11/11/2018 12:41:39 pm

Keeping finger spread and pinky on stick, no grabbing!

11/12/2018 08:13:15 am

Thanks Virginia & good luck! Heather

Carol Deaville

11/11/2018 01:34:35 pm

Releasing tension in the hand along with encouraging a "weighty" bow arm..

11/12/2018 08:13:37 am

Thanks Carol & good luck! Heather

Colleen Snyder

11/11/2018 02:18:52 pm

Keeping the thumb bent is a constant challenge.

11/12/2018 08:13:55 am

Thanks Colleen & good luck! Heather

Esther Albert

11/11/2018 02:32:06 pm

Keeping a bent thumb whilst also keeping a high rounded hand shape!

11/12/2018 08:14:12 am

Thanks Esther & good luck! Heather

Anita Pisano

11/11/2018 02:58:56 pm

My biggest challenge is a collapsed thumb and pinky.

11/12/2018 08:14:39 am

Thanks Anita, you are not alone Good luck, Heather

Myriam

11/11/2018 03:11:56 pm

Angle of hand 45 degrees so pinkie can stand up on stick with two bent joints. Thumb bent for downbow, straight for upbow. Corner of thumb contacts space between frog and grip. Tripod of power (thumb, pinkie, forefinger lying down on grip). Most people can learn this; I have had a few who just don't get it!

11/12/2018 08:15:19 am

THANKS MYRIAM & good luck! Heather

Marie Anderson

11/11/2018 05:21:58 pm

In a classroom setting, the biggest hurdle is having eyes on everyone and getting consistency.

11/12/2018 08:15:39 am

Thanks Marie & good luck! Heather

Sarah

11/11/2018 05:37:58 pm

Keeping students from getting frustrated while working on bow grip.

11/12/2018 08:16:12 am

Thanks for sharing & good luck! Heather

Kirsten

11/11/2018 07:39:38 pm

Getting them to retain the knowledge/feeling throughout the week when they're practicing at home. Constant struggle!

11/12/2018 08:16:59 am

Thanks Kristen I think this product could support you and is worth looking into. Good luck! Heather

Tiana Angus

11/11/2018 09:15:17 pm

Balanced hand with relaxed (yet active) fingers and bent thumb

11/12/2018 08:17:18 am

Thanks Tiana & good luck! Heather

Mallory

11/11/2018 09:46:29 pm

Bent thumb, bent pinky, at the same time!

11/12/2018 07:59:07 am

YES! We hear you in this. Thanks for entering & good luck! Heather

Angie Kremkau

11/11/2018 11:49:51 pm

Finding and maintaining 1st and 4th finger jobs!

11/12/2018 07:58:01 am

Thanks Angie & good luck! Heather

Sarah Wallace

11/12/2018 12:04:57 am

Getting them to have that slanted bow hold and keeping pinky and thumb curved.

11/12/2018 07:57:39 am

Thanks Sarah & good luck! Heather

Manon

11/12/2018 12:32:22 am

Op de beste manier, een houding automatiseren!

11/12/2018 07:57:15 am

Thanks Manon & good luck! Heather

Laura

11/12/2018 05:07:51 am

In a classroom, getting cello & bass students to probate. That and flexibility overall!

11/12/2018 07:56:51 am

Thanks Laura & good luck! Heather

Hester

11/12/2018 07:14:58 am

Using the most natural, relaxed curve of the hand.

11/12/2018 07:56:22 am

Great! Thanks for entering & good luck, Heather

Ashley

11/12/2018 07:16:40 am

The importantance of good bow habits, preparing them for advanced techniques.

11/12/2018 07:55:40 am

Thanks Ashley & good luck! Heather

Heather Lewin link

11/12/2018 07:30:56 am

Finding a comfortable bow hold for all ages & abilities.

11/12/2018 07:55:04 am

Thanks Heather & good luck!

Raphaelle

11/12/2018 07:57:43 am

Mastering the flexibility in the hand and figuring out what positioning works best for each hand!

11/12/2018 08:17:45 am

Thanks Raphaelle & good luck! Heather

Lois A. O'Brien

11/12/2018 07:59:32 am

stiff, straight thumb and tight pinky

11/12/2018 08:18:02 am

Thanks Lois & good luck! Heather

Mary Beth Akers

11/12/2018 08:07:08 am

Developing finger strength; preventing bad habits, and maintaining good ones.

11/12/2018 08:39:52 am

Thanks Mary Beth - Good luck! Heather

Rachel Berls

11/12/2018 08:17:56 am

My biggest issue is tension. A lot of my students feel like they need to grab the bow so it won’t drop. It’s difficult to relieve that tension, even through bow exercises on and off the bow. It’s a constant struggle!

11/12/2018 08:19:48 am

I realized I didn’t do 10 words or less, so my answer is...Tension!

11/12/2018 08:40:27 am

Hi Rachel, no worries about the word count. Thanks for posting & good luck! Heather

Heather Braden

11/12/2018 08:53:16 am

Keeping a beautiful soft bow hold ~ especially when the music is tricky! 🎶

11/12/2018 12:41:20 pm

Thanks Heather! Good luck ;)

Sylvia link

11/12/2018 10:09:08 am

Helping students with double - jointed pinkies /pinkies that "pop"!

11/12/2018 12:41:39 pm

Good point - thanks for bringing this up. Good luck!

Andrea Coyle link

11/12/2018 11:55:34 am

Mastering the bow hold; flexible fingers, bent thumb, curved pinky.

11/12/2018 12:41:57 pm

Thanks Andrea & good luck! Heather

Emily

11/12/2018 01:16:30 pm

Breaking that bad habit of sticking thumb under frog! 😱👍🐸

11/13/2018 06:11:03 am

Thanks Emily & good luck! Heather

Elisabeth link

11/12/2018 08:43:34 pm

Strength without tension, Flexibility with control

11/13/2018 06:10:31 am

Thanks Elisabeth & good luck! Heather

Mandi

11/13/2018 12:10:54 am

That thumb! And any double-jointed fingers.

11/13/2018 06:10:06 am

Thanks Mandi & good luck! Heather

Karen McKenna

11/13/2018 07:05:30 am

Keeping good bow hold when not with the teacher!

11/13/2018 07:27:38 am

Thanks Karen - great comment. Good luck, Heather

Sister Marie-Therese Swiezynski

11/13/2018 10:47:24 am

Keeping bent thumbs, curved pinkies while concentrating on the left hand!

11/14/2018 07:31:05 am

Thank you Sister Marie-Therese & good luck! Heather

Nicole Laprise link

11/14/2018 06:33:04 am

Learning the proper setup in large classes with little time.

11/14/2018 07:31:42 am

Thanks for noting this Nicole. This is an important consideration. Good luck, Heather

Meghan

11/14/2018 10:13:24 pm

Getting the student to feel the two sides of the string with the bow (feeling the pulling of the ‘left’ side of the string on a down bow and the pushing on the ‘right’ side of the string on the up bow). When successfully prompted, however, the result is wonderful.

Heather Ann Figi

11/16/2018 05:19:46 am

I like the way you think. Neat comment. Good luck! Heather

Tara Carney

11/15/2018 05:24:24 pm

Helping students keep a nice, relaxed pinky!

11/16/2018 05:20:26 am

Thanks Tara & good luck! Heather

Julie Carr link

11/16/2018 04:20:36 am

Keeping a nice open relaxed bow hand

11/16/2018 05:20:52 am

Thanks Julie & good luck! Heather

Melinda Smith

11/20/2018 06:45:48 am

Keeping fingers rounded and relaxed, and thumb strong and bent!

11/20/2018 07:19:02 am

Thanks Melinda & good luck! Heather

Sharon Neufeld link

11/20/2018 07:06:35 am

Biggest challenge? Keeping the fingers and wrist flexible without tension.

11/20/2018 07:19:32 am

Thanks Sharon & good luck! Heather

Melanie Barber

11/20/2018 08:04:18 am

Keeping the bent thumb exactly where I want it.

11/20/2018 08:54:01 am

I can relate. Thanks Melanie & good luck! Heather

Zayley

11/20/2018 08:41:56 am

The biggest challenge is the thumb and/or a curved pinky.

11/20/2018 08:53:16 am

This is so popular. Thanks Zayley & good luck! Heather

Kristi

11/20/2018 09:02:17 am

I struggle to help students hold their bows with flexible fingers, without tension.

11/20/2018 10:08:56 am

Thanks Kristi & good luck! Heather

Susan Stephenson

11/20/2018 09:07:37 am

My biggest bow hand teaching challenge is convincing a student that a balanced bow hold is formed with the middle two fingers and a flexible pinkie and thumb.

11/20/2018 10:09:57 am

Thanks Susan - I appreciate your comment. Good luck with the contest and you may benefit from some of the bowhold videos on my youtube channel. Heather

Sharon Hartmann link

11/20/2018 09:41:15 am

Keeping fingers curved and playing on Strings for best tone

11/20/2018 10:10:17 am

Thanks Sharon and good luck! Heather

Sarah Westwick link

11/20/2018 10:57:01 am

Balancing bow hold position with flexibility and movement

11/21/2018 04:22:20 pm

Thanks Sarah - these concepts are integral to a bow hold. Good luck! Heather

Friederike Lehrbass

11/20/2018 10:57:28 am

Keeping students fingers and hand round and flexible and without tension

11/21/2018 04:22:44 pm

Thanks Friederike & good luck! Heather

Shelly Berg

11/20/2018 11:38:36 am

Rigid fingers and thumb curvature.

11/21/2018 04:24:24 pm

Thanks Shelly! Nice to hear from you & good luck, Heather

Kirsten Campbell

11/20/2018 12:24:43 pm

To get them to focus on their bowhold at home.

11/21/2018 04:26:02 pm

Great feedback Kristen (the Bow Hold Buddies really help with this). Heather

Danette Schuh

11/20/2018 01:20:20 pm

The need to build strength while keeping flexibility.

11/21/2018 04:26:30 pm

Thanks Danette & good luck! Heather

Carmen Martin

11/20/2018 04:18:51 pm

Learning to hold the bow without tension, & strengthening pinky!

11/21/2018 04:26:54 pm

Thanks Carmen & good luck! Heather

April Reid

11/20/2018 04:51:26 pm

My biggest challenge is helping the students maintain a good thumb position without bending it inwards.

11/21/2018 04:27:12 pm

Thanks April & good luck! Heather

Melissa

11/21/2018 09:36:25 am

Double jointed pinkies are challenging to work with!

11/21/2018 04:27:33 pm

Thanks Melissa & good luck! Heather

judi naillon link

11/22/2018 07:02:49 pm

My biggest challenge with getting students to hold their bow correctly is definitely the bent thumb. Once they master that and pinky we move onto balance!

11/23/2018 08:17:29 am

Thanks Judi & good luck! Heather

MAN

11/26/2018 10:01:11 pm

I wanna help the teacher of my daughter because she earns them to win because she is the best! My daughter has a lot of problems with her holding.. This would be the solution!

11/27/2018 07:39:59 am

Hello, It sounds like you have an amazing teacher - congrats! Thanks for entering the contest and good luck. Heather

Jamie Norr

11/27/2018 02:09:39 pm

The pinky is the big challenge but also a relaxed hand still with bent fingers. Also, mind and body connection since bowing is unlike anything we do in daily life!

11/29/2018 07:29:25 pm

Thanks Jamie & good luck! Heather

Allison woerner

11/30/2018 05:24:38 pm

Bow Buddies help the whole hand, with style and fun!

jacqueline soohen

11/30/2018 06:07:50 pm

Gripping hold and rogue pinky fingers poking up

Dolores Rinehart

11/30/2018 06:13:34 pm

getting special need children to understand importance of hold.

Jill Zor

11/30/2018 07:08:33 pm

Bending their pinkies and keeping middle fingers wrapped around!

Terri Moraca link

11/30/2018 07:24:26 pm

I'm encouraging my students parents to purchase bow buddies for their children in order to support development of the correct bow hold. I teach 170 beginning string students a week and it would be amazing to be able to provide the students whose parents can't afford the bow buddy the access to these amazing teaching tools. Thanks for considering.