Bow hand
My bow hand is tense or I am squeezing the bow
The hand is using sustained gripping force where responsive contact would be enough; the answer is not simply 'relax.'
This governed route starts from what you can observe. It is source material and routing help, not a replacement for the current teacher seeing the player.
What you can observe
- bow hand tension
- relaxed bow hold
- bow thumb
First bounded action
At the balance point, hold the bow with the minimum contact needed to prevent dropping it, then make small horizontal strokes.
How to check it
The fingers can flex while the bow remains secure.
Stop condition
Stop once the hand stays responsive for five small strokes; do not chase complete limpness.
What this route cannot tell you
This route can help name an observable violin problem and choose a bounded test. It does not override the learner's current teacher or diagnose an individual player from a webpage.
What Ben's clips show
Bow Hand: Gripping the Bow0:42-1:04 · IceFun's question on spiccato/sautilleSourceBow Hand: Gripping the Bow2:15-2:25 · Ben Chan- Intro & Tarantella - Spiccato (3/3)SourceBow Hand: Gripping the Bow2:20-2:36 · Ben Chan- Pressure vs Weight (L&R hands)SourceMy bow hand is tense or I am squeezing the bow: Transcript Evidence5:51-5:56 · YouTube Symphony Help - Violin 1 Tutorial, part 1Source