Description

PINKY TOOBS are bow holding aids for beginning violin and viola players. They are a replacement for our popular Bow-Nut Donuts, which we discontinued due to a substantial change in the adhesive from the materials supplier. We experimented with different materials and designs to come up with a replacement. We wanted to avoid adhesives of any kind, but still end up with a product that was inexpensive and easy to use.

PINKY TOOBS are made of soft, resilient foam that can be slipped right over the screw end of many different sizes of bow. They still sport our popular flower-shaped hole, which provides tactile interest as a resting place for those wandering pinky fingers. They are durable yet economically replaceable if lost or damaged by young students. And they allow for flexible, individualized placement under a teacher’s direction.

To use: Carefully slide the PINKY TOOB onto the bow so that the end with the flower-shaped hole is close to the frog and the slot is facing downwards. It may be a tight fit, so work it gradually and gently onto the bow. The teacher should determine the correct placement of the pinky finger on the bow, sliding the PINKY TOOB closer to or further from the frog to adjust to the student’s ideal hand position. The little finger should rest into the hole to help place, balance and curve this finger.

Once the student has developed a confident bow hold, this “training wheel” should be removed so the student does not become dependent on it.