What Is An Instrument/ Bow Trial?

Natalie Gaynor viewing instruments at Fine Instrument Consulting. Photo Credit: Shelby Cohron

An instrument or bow trial is merely just the event in which you try a selection of violins, violas, cellos, or bows for the end goal of purchasing an upgrade to what you are currently playing on.

I remember when going into violin shops when I was younger. I was always a little nervous and shy about playing instruments in front of the shop owners or even just anyone hearing me play. Especially as a fiddler in a classical world.

I realized it didn't matter what they thought of the playing. I had an opportunity to play exciting instruments and bows that changed the way I heard myself. It also gave me the insight of what sound I was looking for and how to play through various instruments while keeping an attentive ear, without getting confused. If you do it correctly, your trial will be a lot more manageable, and exciting!

Instrument and Bow trials are, in my opinion, best to do at different times. There has to be a level of understanding as to what sound qualifications you're going for, as well as what your budget.

When it comes to sound, you might not have the right words at the time you're speaking with the sales rep, but use what words you have. Together you should be able to come up with the sound adjectives you're looking for. Here are some of the key words we use here at Fine Instrument Consulting:

• Bright

• Warm(th)

• Deep

• Resonance/ Resonant

• Focused

• Powerful

• Clear

• Edgy

• Even

• Buttery

• Sweet

• Rich

These words can help you in your search for the instrument sound you might be searching for. This will apply to most string instruments. Strings, shoulder rest, rosin, bow, climate, and the room you're in will really make the sound different. Try to keep as many similar variables in the mix to not confuse yourself. Like I've said in my social media posts, use your own shoulder rest, and bow to keep things as close to familiar as possible. The other thing is to narrow down the selection to a few before you start going into major rep or excerpts. It will save you tons of time and energy when you're testing out instruments.

I've tried hundreds of instruments over the course of my career, hundreds of string combinations, shoulder rests, and rosins. I put that in my cover letter when I applied to work at Johnson String Instrument. I'm pretty sure that's how I landed myself in the Violin Shop Industry. That's a blog post for another time.

Thanks for stopping by Emilio's blog as a shop owner and fiddle player.

If you have any questions or inquiries, please send us an email! info@ficviolinshop.com

Looking forward to connecting!

~Emilio L. Arredondo

Owner of Fine Instrument Consulting

Houston's destination shop for violins, violas, cellos, and bows