How big the bow?

[Happy Jack]

So I now want to take a punt on bowing, I've been given links to suitable bows to try, and (knock me down with a feather) the bloody things come in different sizes!

I play a 3/4 DB, and I'm a pretty medium sort of guy.

Do I need a 3/4 bow or a full size jobbie?

[neilp]

You need what fits you and the instrument. Many many years ago when I started playing I used the longest bows I could find, and still often struggled with legato passages because I hadn't learned to move the bow slowly. As I got more accomplished I found shorter bows felt better balanced (obviously!) and were easier to use. You need to try several lengths/weights and see what suits you. I'd suggest if you are a reasonably normal-sized human you should look at stick lengths anywhere between 660 and 700mm, but it does depend what you feel comfortable with

[Happy Jack]

Thanks Neil.

Does 660mm - 700mm count as 3/4?

[neilp]

660, not 600! 660 is at the top of 3/4, I'd say, and 700 is on the long side for 4/4. Anything over 700 is pretty long, and starts to become difficult to manage. Best advice I can give is learn to use less bow and go for a shorter bow

[Happy Jack]

Ta.