FAQs

Will my bow with the Things 4 Strings® bow accessory installed still fit in my instrument case?

Yes!

Regarding the Bow Hold Buddies® accessory:

There are many makes and styles of cases, and just about all them can accommodate an accessorized bow. However, sometimes you have to be a bit creative. 
If the case has a choice of two storage racks, the rack that will NOT close opposite to the chin rest will usually work. 
Always close with extra care the first time, to make sure there is room. 
If there is not quite enough room, or, if accessory interferes with the bow clip/spinner, then simply abandon the rack system. 
Just lay the bow on the belly of the instrument, nestling the accessorized frog end of the bow into the scroll storage area. 
However, with some very small outfits, say 1/16ths,  we find it just as easy to tuck the bow in the music tote bag after lessons.

 Regarding the CelloPhant® accessory:

Most student cellists have soft cloth cases where the bow stows into an outside bow-pocket. The accessory does not usually fit all the way into these pockets, but will fit in enough that the rubber of the accessory will grab the edges of the pocket enough that the bow will not be in danger of accidentally slipping out.  Hard cello cases usually have ample storage room inside, although sometimes a rubber-band modification might be necessary to hold the bow in place. Some players wrap the bow in a cloth and store it under the cello fingerboard.

Cost vs. Value?

Given that private lessons typically cost in excess of $1/minute, and, typically many minutes of each lesson [sometimes for many years!]  can be devoted to bow hold corrections rather than advancing through other materials or skills, the value a Things 4 Strings® accessory far exceeds the cost!

Do these accessories come in different sizes?

Things 4 Strings® accessories are indeed universal-fit, useful for both children [as young as three] and adult hands.  

The Bow Hold Buddies® set, if installed on the correct sized bow for the player, adjusts for a custom fit by sliding the Hold Fish® pinky support part of the set along the bow stick to be up next to the ring finger.

The CelloPhant® accessory has  variety of tactile and anatomical reference points your cello teacher can assign fingers to find depending on your hand size.

Will this bow accessory fit my bow?

Things 4 Strings® accessories are made of molded silicone rubber which has the capability of easily stretching to accommodate varying diameters of bow sticks and wrappings, from fractionally sized bows to full sized bows.

How long should I use this bow accessory?

Bow hold learning time varies quite a bit from player to player.  Each accessory may be removed and re-attached as necessary. Because these accessories have been designed to not preclude the natural points of contact between the fingers and the bow, continued use, even after no longer needed, will not impede further development of the players' bow hand technique.Early use of our bow accessories re-allocates time previously devoted to bow hold exercises and corrections to the work of advancing more quickly through other beginning material.

While length of use varies, we recommended removing the accessory before spiccato.
Factors affecting length of use include student age,  experience and teacher preference:

• Players using the accessory from Day One often find their bow hold has gone into muscle memory after just a few months.  
• Otherwise, once the second book of a method is under way, or during the second semester for older beginners, or during the second year for younger students are good times to remove the accessory.
• The very young may require a longer period of use.
• Those using an accessory for remediation may also need more time to "re-wire", although some find just experiencing the "feel" of the accessory provides enlightenment. 
• An easy time to remove them is when the child changes sizes of violins.

I am allergic to latex rubber. Will this be a problem?

No. The silicone rubber your accessory is made from contains no latex.

Is this bow accessory washable?

Yes! Accessories, when not installed on a bow, are washable in soap and water -- even the dishwasher, if necessary. 

Still have a question?

Email Ruth! info@things4strings.com