Relaxing your Right Arm, Hand & Wrist
If you (or your kids) play the violin, you might have experienced this: the right arm, hand, and wrist are perfectly relaxed… until the bow touches the strings. Suddenly, everything tenses up—especially in performances.
Why is relaxation such a tricky skill for violinists? Let’s break it down, and I’ll share some practical tips that will help. Fair warning: mastering relaxation takes time and patience. But trust me—it’s worth it.
Why Relaxation Is Hard on the Violin?
Your right hand isn’t just “holding” the bow—it’s actively guiding it with precision. To non-violinists, this looks effortless… until they try it. The moment they pick up a bow, their fingers lock in a death grip, terrified the bow will fall.
That tightness is the enemy of relaxation. And yes, even though the bow weighs only about 60 grams, gravity still makes it feel heavier in motion.
It gets trickier: different bowing techniques require different muscle groups. Beginners often try to move the bow with their entire arm. But think of it like clicking a mouse—you don’t swing your whole arm to click, you use your fingertips. The same principle applies to violin: move smart, not hard.
Three Tips to Relax Your Bow Arm
1. Relax Your Left Hand First
It sounds counterintuitive, but it works. Once, I was battling a passage full of sixteenth notes and awkward slurs—my right arm was tense and heavy. Then I shifted my focus to my left hand: shaping the melody, feeling the notes. Strangely enough, my bow arm loosened up. The reverse works too—if your left hand tenses, try relaxing your right arm first.
2. Don’t Forget to Breathe！
Yes, you read that right! Breathing is a skill you must practice. Many students (and my younger self) clench their jaw and hold their breath when playing, especially during difficult passages. The result? Tension everywhere.
Try this: consciously breathe with the music. Set reminders during practice to check your breathing. Over time, this becomes second nature, and you’ll find both your body and your music flowing more freely.
3. Find and Memorize the Feeling of Relaxation
Borrow a trick from yoga or meditation: tense first, then release. Make a fist and squeeze tightly—really feel the tension—then slowly release. Notice the sensation in every joint, finger, and muscle.
During practice, check in with yourself: are you holding unnecessary tension? If yes, recall that relaxed feeling and actively return to it. The more often you do this, the easier it becomes to reset.
Final Notes:
Relaxation isn’t a “switch” you flip—it’s a habit you build. With awareness, breathing, and a little bit of body-mind connection, your right arm can feel lighter, your music can flow better, and your performance anxiety can shrink. :)
