Your opinions: what do you find helps most in bowing?

Well flexible joints and fingers. I say this because if you are too stiff, it just kind of wont ... work... I can't explain my self very well!

Yes, and:

1 keeping your wrist rotated to your left (as if you're looking at a watch)

2 making sure your little finger is rounded and just resting relaxedly on the bow-stick (near the third finger)

3 keeping your thumb relaxedly bent (forwards not backwards!!!)

If your thumb isn't bent your whole wrist will be stiff.

Drop your arm by your side and look at the shape your hand naturally takes; it's pretty much exactly the right shape for your bow hold.

QUOTE (Violinia @ Oct 13 2004, 11:54 PM)

Yes, and: 1 keeping your wrist rotated to your left (as if you're looking at a watch) 2 making sure your little finger is rounded and just resting relaxedly on the bow-stick (near the third finger) 3 keeping your thumb relaxedly bent (forwards not backwards!!!) If your thumb isn't bent your whole wrist will be stiff. Drop your arm by your side and look at the shape your hand naturally takes; it's pretty much exactly the right shape for your bow hold.

I've always wondered why you are always told to keep your pinkie on it's tip on the bow.

It's strange, when I watch pros on tv, they all have different technique, but all sound good.