Originally posted on 2012-01-05 by Becky, Violin Teacher  

I found out about the bow hold buddies at a music convention a year ago. 

Two of my students in particular were having a difficult time with their bow hold and I had them try using bow hold buddies. 

The older student (middle school) began playing the violin last year and started used a bow hold buddy about 2 months into playing. 

After a few months he weaned off the big piece and kept using the fish to help his pinky. 

He is now playing without the bow hold buddy and his bow hold is among the best of all my students. It worked great! 

The younger student (1st grade) is still using his bow hold buddy. 

His bow hold is great. 

We could probably wean him off it, but it's more comfortable for him this way and I don't see a problem letting him continue using it longer. 

I would highly recommend the bow hold buddies. 

The bow hold buddies help the fingers stay in place for a proper (and very comfortable and natural) bow hold. 

Yes, every hand is a little different, but the bow hold buddies seem to provide enough flexibility to account for this.

All my students have tried the bow hold buddies and loved them! (but only 2 used them long-term).

Sometimes the bow hold buddies had to be adjusted to better fit a hand, but it was quick and simple to do this.