Articles & Such

From time to time, I have the opportunity to share my thoughts, ideas, and expertise via various outlets—as well as those of others—I hope you find something of use here for your own practice.

Items of Interest

The Strad: Mar 2022 | Analysis April 2022: Seeing the wood for the trees: With the Brazilian police ramping up its efforts to combat pernambuco trafficking, Peter Somerford explores what the effects could be on the international bow trade.

2012 | Bowmaker J-J Augagneur explains everything about making a bow!: Jean-Jacques Augagneur, well known throughout the world for his French and German bass bows' round sound and easy playing, shares insights from his Lyon, France, studio with his son in this short film.

2018 | L'atelier Eric Grandchamp: Visit the shop of Eric Grandchamp as he crafts a bow in this beautiful, short documentary.

Shoutout LA: Jul 2021 | Meet Brianna Goldberg: Bow Restorer & Maker: Lynn's UNH student reflects on the unexpected turn her life as a professional double bassist took when she couldn't find anyone willing to work on bass bows locally. 

Huthmaker Violins: Apr 2021 | Class for the Curious Musician—Lynn Armour Hannings, The Secret Life of a Bow Maker: Lynn Armour Hannings gives a tour of her bow making/restoration workshop and talks about the life of a bow maker, teaching luthier skills and being involved in conservation issues around the bow world.

Business Insider | Why Professional Violin Bows Are So Expensive: In 2017, a single violin bow sold at auction for $690,000. You can buy a beginner's bow for less than $50, but a top-rate professional bow can often cost thousands of dollars. A bow like this is completely handcrafted by skilled artisans. And just one can take an entire week to make. Even the most subtle differences in the way a bow is made will change how well it plays. So why would someone pay so much for a bow? And what makes it so expensive? Watch to find out!

Strings: Jul 2018 | A Guide to Selecting Your Next Bow: David Bonsey, George Rubino and Lynn Hannings each share their advice for your successful search for a new bow.

Link to article, "Saving the Pernambuco Tree"Aitchison & Mnatzaganian: Articles | Saving the Pernambuco Tree: Sarah Mnatzaganian writes in 2008 about the ever relevant issue of Pernambuco conservation, its importance to the bowmaking and music industry, and what we can do to support the continuing efforts of the International Pernambuco Conservatory Initiative.

Johnson String Instrument: Resources | From Horse to Bow: Mary VanClay pulls from a Jan/Feb 1995 Strings article featuring many voices from the trade to answer questions about bow hair—its history, origins, varieties, color, and qualities.