Nine Beatitudes for Violonists by Arthur Hartmann

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‚Blessed are they who early in life approach Bach, for their love and veneration for music will multiply with the years.

Blessed are they who remember their own early struggles, for their merciful criticism will help others to a greater achievement and furtherance of Divine Art.

Blessed are they who know their own limitations, for they shall have joy in the accomplishment of others.

Blessed are they who revere the teachers – their own or those of others – and who remember them with credit.

Blessed are they who, revering the old masters, seek out the newer ones and do not begrudge them a hearing or two.

Blessed are they who work in obscurity, nor sound the trumpet, for Art has ever been for the few, and shuns the vulgar blare of ignorance.

Blessed are they whom men revile as futurists and modernists, for Art can evolve only through the medium of iconoclastic spirits.

Blessed are they who unflinchingly serve their Art, for thus only is their happiness to be gained.

Blessed are they who have many enemies, for square pegs will never fit into round holes;.

 

HOW TO CHOOSE A VIOLIN BOW

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GUIDELINES WHILE CHOOSING A BOW

1. Start with an open mind and do not compare with your old bow. It is possible that your old bow was not so great, but you got used to it. It is also possible that you might discover you like playing more with bows that have different characteristics that the previous one.

2. Choose a high quality Pernambuco bow, whenever possible, but have an open mind to try some other bows, such as carbon bows, for example. The research always advances and you might be surprised to find out that there are also high quality carbon bows that create articulation and resonance of a fine Pernambuco bow and that might be matching your instrument better. Permanbuco bows have higher resilience and do not break so easily.

3. Make sure the stick of the bow is not too week. The bow can be light but strong at the same time. The stick is the most important in a bow, therefore if you are considering purchasing an old bow that is damaged, bear in mind that the frog, etc., can be fixed, and get the bow for the stick if it is great.

4. Do not be too fixated on the weight of the bow, rather pay attention to its balance. The balance is one of the most important aspects while choosing a bow. A fine balanced bow is both flexible and firm, it responds easily while at the same time shows some resistance.

5. Last but not least, the sound. It is very important you bring your own instrument while choosing a bow in order to find the right match. This process should come after one has selected the best bows for balance and comfort. You might fall in love right away with a specific bow for the sound, but if this does not happen, a good rule is to match a brilliant bow with a dark sounding instrument or a darker bow with a brilliant instrument.

Often customers come with their teachers or colleagues they trusts to get their opinion. This is a very important and reassuring part of the process. However, it is important to remember that in the end you will be the one playing it and that no one can know better than you what is the right bow for you and how comfortable you feel with the bow while playing. Trust yourself, and if you, the instrument and bow are vibrating in harmony both in sound and in comfort.

Few impressions from the Akustika Musikmesse

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