Simple fact: Optical illusion on the bow angle

Today, I want to share a simple fact about the bow angle. Have you had the experience trying to put the bow perfectly straight to the bridge, yet, the bow still seems to be crooked and sliding.

Here is a simple fact. 

From your point of view, when the bow makes perfect 90 degrees to the string, the bow will be slightly crooked to the bridge (too far out).

When the bow is perfectly parallel to the bridge, the angle of the bow and the string from your point of view is less than 90 degrees.

This illusion is so slight that some players don't notice and still plays fine.

Also, the degree varies depending on how you position your violin. Some people position the violin more to the left towards the left shoulder. More left the violin, sharper the degree gets (more illusion effect).



Here are two examples:

Above photo is when he sees 90 degrees bow angle to the string. Notice how the bow is crooked, too far out.

And the 2nd photo is when the bow angle is corrected and parallel to the bridge. But he is seeing the bow angle less than 90 degrees to the string.

So, if you are struggling with putting the bow parallel to the bridge, you can consider this simple fact.

You can put the bow less than 90 degrees to the string and watch the mirror and make sure the bow is parallel to the bridge. And remember the angle, so that you can do it without the mirror, too.

It might change your bowing dramatically!



Happy playing,



NOTE:
There are some occasion that you want to have varieties in bow angle. For example, when you want to change the sounding point, you can make the bow angled in or out so that you can go either closer or further from the bridge as you move the bow.