How to Hold a Cello Bow

One of the first steps in playing the cello is learning how to hold the cello bow properly. You need to learn the proper bow hold in order to play the cello well, so follow these steps to help you learn this crucial skill.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Cello bow
• Cello
• Rosin

1. Learn about the different parts of the cello bow. The shaft consists of the grip and the upper portion (made of either fiberglass or wood.) The tip is the edge of the bow where the hair of the bow is held taut. The screw is located opposite the tip and helps loosen or tighten the bow hair. The frog connects to the bow hair, and the cello player grips it while playing the cello.
2. Tighten the screw on the cello bow. Perform this step to tighten the bow hair. To do this, turn the screw clockwise, which tightens up the frog and the bow hairs. You want to only tighten the frog enough so there is a just a slight curve towards the bow hairs.
3. Apply rosin to the bow hairs. The rosin usually has an orange color, but when rubbed on the bow hairs, it turns a bright white color. Applying the rosin to the bow makes it sticky, which helps give a better sound.
4. Grip the frog with your hand. Be sure to keep your thumb on or near the frog. Grip the frog firmly and keep your thumb in a rounded position.
5. Fold your remaining four fingers over the stick of the bow. Be sure not to wrap your fingers too tightly around the stick.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are right-handed, grip the frog with your right hand. If you are left-handed, grip the frog with your left hand.
• Check out Cello Heaven for more information and photographs on how to hold a cello bow. (See link in Resources.)