Nigel Berry

Violin

Arcus bows are very stable compared to the instability inherent in wooden bows. I have found that this absence of instability makes it a great deal easier to isolate and focus on developing the various separate components of one’s bowing technique.

Bow instability is a factor that can be difficult, if not impossible, to accurately take account of when one is trying to ascertain what is going on when executing a bow stroke. By minimising the instability, Arcus have effectively removed the confusing influence of an unstable variable, thus allowing one to approach technique with greater analytical certainty.

Because of this I now have a significantly greater understanding of bow technique and, in turn, a much improved ability. I know this improvement is more than can be accounted for just by the capabilities of the Arcus bow itself, because I am able to transfer these improvements to my wooden bows, so that I get much better results there too — in fact, regarding wooden bows, I now seem to be able to differentiate between technical issues and bow instability, and to make conscious adjustment for the instability without having to sacrifice on technique.

Of course, Arcus bows are in a league of their own and, for me, using any other bow feels a bit like wielding a wobbly rubber baseball bat.