How tight to tighten a violin bow?

Question:I have heard that when you play you are supposed to tighten so a regular pencil or your pinky can fit through the centermost gap. Is this reasonable?
Also, how loose are you supposed to keep it when you put it away?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I have heard that when you play you are supposed to tighten so a regular pencil or your pinky can fit through the centermost gap. Is this reasonable?
Also, how loose are you supposed to keep it when you put it away?

When you play, you're supposed to be able to put your pinky between the hair and the wood comfortably. It should also feel strong when you play. If it's too loose, then the sound is not that great. When i put my bow away, i make the hair almost touch the wood. But i don' t know how it should be. My bow is fine. : )

My bow used to warp too. I have a hard plastic case that's shaped kind of like a violin. I used to keep my bow in the bottom bow rack but I moved it to the top after it started to warp. It's almost straight again.

yes, that about how tight you want it. just make sure its not 2 tight, its bad for the bow, and 2 loose will just make you sound sloppy and the bow will not play well. when you put it away though, just loosen it a reasonable amount, about 2-3 times around. it doesnt really matter how loose exactly. you might want a violin teacher, too, since it sounds like you are learning to play and they will be able 2 help tremendously with techniques and stuff when you start playing! trust me, i lost my technique with a few teachers, and now i'm having 2 relearn important things, that would be simple if i had continued doing it since i began. good luck and have fun! i suggest suzuki books 2, cuz they help you learn things 2 play all other types of music, like if you wanna fiddle!

Bows will warp if they're regularly left in the case, tight. This is the reason for loosening them when you put them away.

yes u r supposed to tighten it just enough to put your pinky through no more though or it will get all ruined and when u put it back in the case to make it too loose

a pencil or pinky should be able to fit through it and you should loosen it to where the hair just touches the bow