How to Hold the Viola Bow

When starting to learn the violin or viola, the hardest part for students is often learning how to hold the bow. The Franco-Belgian Hold, the hold that I teach, is one of the most common holds in contemporary learning and performance and used by great violinists such as Itzhak Perlman, Pinchas Zukerman, Isaac Stern, Joshua Bell, and Shinichi Suzuki.

Terminology

Finger Number	Finger Name
1st Finger	Index Finger
2ndFinger	Middle Finger
3rd Finger	Ring Finger
4th Finger	Pinkie Finger

Functions of the Fingers

First Finger

This finger creates the greatest connection between the arm and the bow, and can be used to add weight to the stick, equalizing tone from the frog to the tip.

Thumb and Second Finger

These fingers form the core of the bow hold. The point of contact of these digits also acts as a pivot point, or “hinge,” when you change the direction of the bow.

Third Finger

In contact with the side of the frog, the Third Finger establishes lateral control as well as reinforces the connection between the arm and the bow.

Fourth Finger

The Pinkie Finger helps support the weight of the bow to prevent excessive weight on the string.

How to Hold the Viola Bow

Step 1

Place the hair of the bow on the Index Finger of your left hand to simulate the bow on the string and then place your Thumb between the padding and the rounded edge of the frog, placing it on the wooden gapped area. Make sure that your Thumb is bent and NOT straight or curved

Step 2

Place the Second and Third Fingers on the frog by curving the fingers over the Frog at the first joints. The Second Finger should meet opposite of the Thumb at the first joint. The pad of the Third Finger will likely cover the eye of the frog, but this depends on the length of your fingers.