Holding the bow too tightly and using poor posture are common violin mistakes that cause tension and bad sound.
Bow and Hand Errors
- The Death Grip: Squeezing the bow or the neck of the violin too hard stops your hand from moving freely. Keep your fingers curved and relaxed.
- Straight Thumb: Locking or straightening your thumb on the bow blocks smooth control. Keep it slightly bent.
Posture and Hold Mistakes
- Slouching: Bending your back or tilting your head too far creates muscle pain. Stand tall with a straight spine.
- Collapsed Wrist: Letting your left wrist cave in against the violin neck. Keep your wrist straight and your fingers dropping down like little hammers.
- Low Music Stand: Placing your music sheet too low forces you to look down, ruining your neck alignment and posture.
