How to Build a Violin Bow

One of the most essential pieces to learning how to play the violin is having a bow. A bow is the long, slim wooden piece with a string attached to it that is pulled across the strings on the violin to create musical sounds and melodies. Bows built by professional bow manufacturers are very expensive and are made of rare materials to which you may not have access. With a few hand tools and some wood you can create your very own violin bow.

Pick out the wood from which you want to build your bow. The wood you pick out should be thin and bendable while still being sturdy. This is why tree branches are the best sources. Once you find the right branch use a saw to cut it off the tree.

Use a knife and cut five notches into the wood at both ends. You can do less than five if you want, but don't do anymore.

Cut a piece of fishing line about 3" longer than your wood piece. Tie a knot at one end of the line and slide this over one end of the stick on one of the notches you cut into the wood.

Take the fishing line, pull it down the length of the wood and tie it near the other end of the stick.

Repeat this process for each notch on your wood bow. Each notch you cut into the wood will need to have a length of fishing line connected to it.

Wrap twist ties around the fishing line at each end of the bow. Take a cloth, pour some resin on the cloth and rub it down the length of the bow string. Your bow is completed.