Hi

Was wondering if anyone could give me some advice. I need to work on making my wrist much more supple and flexible when I bow for violin. However, I'm left handed so my right hand in comparison is very stiff and awkward. I try to relax as much as possible and practice trying to exaggerate the movement but my right wrist just doesn't want to co-operate and my bowing is very stiff coming from the wrist.

Could anyone give me some tips on how I can develop suppleness and flexibility in my right wrist? Any advice would be much appreciated.

When I first started violin, my teacher gave me some exercises for the right arm. You know that when you play, all the weight from your right arm should be 'dropped down' and completely relaxed as if the arm wants to hit the floor. I was told to practise this away from my violin, just whenever I could, and also practise the bow holding position as if you are hanging from the bow by the tips of the fingers. This should redistribute the weight away from the wrist, as it sounds like at the moment it is too tense and not relaxed enough.

Then I was told to also do a few wrist turns each day, circling your wrist round while making sure that the rest of the arm is not moving. While you are bowing, also keep checking that you are not playing from your shoulder and remember to check that your shoulder and rest of the arm is not tense.

I think you will get a more supple wrist in time... it is just GOOD practice that allows this to develop.

I hope some of what I have said is helpful; just ignore it if you already know the above!