One of our most popular products for young violinists and violists is the Violin Bow Force. Now, as we introduce the new Cello Bow Force, we asked the inventor, teacher Becky Fields, to explain how she came up with her idea for this unique and effective product. Here’s Becky’s story.
Becky Fields, Inventor of the Bow Force, Explains the Reason for Her Invention
To successfully learn violin, the student must first learn technique. The concept of a sturdy, easy to use violin bow guide as a learning tool is an extension of my study of the Suzuki Method. Developed in the mid-20th century by famed Japanese violinist, Shinichi Suzuki, the movement encourages students to learn to play by listening to variations of simple musical compositions, then playing back what they have heard. Suzuki believed that, just as children learn to talk before they learn to read, learning to play before learning notation was the most effective avenue to success. Suzuki also believed that even very young children could learn violin if the learning steps were small enough and the instrument was scaled to fit their small bodies. The secret of the Suzuki method is that students are encouraged to “feel” the music. The instructor’s role is to help the student relax and enjoy the experience.
Learning violin, however, requires proper form and execution. The very young and most novice students of violin often have difficulty mastering the arm/bow position necessary to achieve a pure tone. The use of a violin bow guide enables the student to maintain proper bow position on the string. My long experience with other violin bow guides taught me to see what worked and what didn’t. When I decided to design my own device, I knew that the device had to be both sturdy and easy to use. I named my invention the BowForce violin bow guide.
The most difficult skill for those who wish to learn violin is not the placement of the fingers of the left hand on the fingerboard. It is, in fact, learning to maintain correct bow/arm position. The graceful flexibility of the bow stroke is the result of a related set of motions by the fingers, wrist, arm, and shoulder of the right upper extremity. This fluidity of motion keeps the bow positioned properly on the string and allows for smooth, straight bowing. Rigidity in any part of the bowing arm will create pressure on the bow causing it to drag unevenly across the string resulting in distortion of tone. The patented, hand-crafted BowForce violin bow guide is hand-crafted and designed to help the student position the bow properly to enable firm, fluid contact between bow and string.
Learn more about the new Cello Bow Force below!
With a bow guide like the BowForce, your students will be making great musical strides in no time! Click here to browse our teaching aids so you can pick up your BowForce today! Don't forget to subscribe to our blog and follow us on social media for updates on new products, teaching resources, and SHAR news!
