Posted by fiddlepogo on Thursday, January 15, 2009
While I've been enjoying the TUF (thumb under frog hold) for nearly a year and a half now (thanks to a thread here in the early days started by oldtimer!) I have discovered ONE big disadvantage.
Both the thumb under the frog AND the fingers on top are resting on surfaces that are flat... in one direction anyway.
This means that if you sweat while playing (and I do a little), both thumb and/or fingers can start to slip a bit. Since my bowing style can get a little aggressive at times, I can feel a little slippage, and that in turn makes it feel less secure.
So I was thinking: "What can I put on the bottom of the metal ring on the hair end of the frog to make it less slippery?"
I thought of masking tape, but I can't find my roll of masking tape. Then, a couple of days ago, it hit me:
Bandaids!
(actually they're Curad, I think!)
They're the kind that have little airholes even on the adhesive part- and the little holes act like grips to keep your thumb in place.
I went to the first aid kit, and cut one end up into leetle rectangles to put on the silver rings on the frogs.
It was SUPER difficult getting the backing off once they were cut, but once they were on, it made a great improvement in the amount of traction I can get on the underside, and I think it is helping me bow with more confidence, especially when I curve the thumb more.
That reminds me. When I can remember to do it, curving the thumb feels and sounds really good BUT it's hard to remember to do it- it's going to take a while to get it natural to the point that I pick up a bow and automatically get into that position.
Oh... the little rectangle of bandaid adds <some> weight- enough to change the feel, so I had to take a little off the ends of my twist-tie wires.
My frogs are starting to look rather strange! ;^)
3 comments on “Bow Tweak for TUF users”
ChickenMan Says:
Thursday, January 15, 2009 @2:54:19 PM
3M makes these rubbery waterproof bandages that would be perfect for this purpose. You could use the 'dots' that rarely get used by adults because their so tiny.
I have been considering the "french grip" for some time because my thumb does not really do what the "classical" grip says it should, and I occasionally drop the bow as it pops out of my hand. Gonna go search for that thread.
Rene Says:
Thursday, January 15, 2009 @4:25:33 PM
Funny that you should bring that up...I've recently switched to thumb under and feel it has improved my playing and loosened me up. However, I've also been having a little slippage problem, so I'll try you cure-all.
I attended a very basic fiddle workshop (too basic for me) this week and the one thing I did hear the teacher say is that she uses the thumb under, so I felt better about my switch.
fiddlepogo Says:
Friday, January 16, 2009 @9:11:59 PM
Glad if it helps!
It's really been a plus because I figured out I like the balance better when the thumb is on the silver thingie close to the hair-
but that's slipperier and smoother than the mother-of-pearl strip.
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