Bow control - Violin Institute London

Why Does My Violin Squeak? Common Causes And Solutions

2026-05-22T10:21:53+01:00

A squeaking violin can feel deeply frustrating, especially when you are trying to play with confidence and expression. One moment the note seems ready to sing; the next, the sound breaks into an unexpected whistle, scratch or squeak. Many adult learners immediately wonder: why does my violin squeak? The encouraging answer is that squeaking is usually not a sign of poor musical ability. It is most often a technical message. Once you understand what causes it, you can begin to prevent it with calm, focused practice. The Bow Is Not Moving Straight One of the most common causes of squeaking is [...]

Why a Better Bow Can Improve Your Playing More Than a Better Violin

Stefan Joubert2026-01-15T13:12:42+00:00

Many violinists who have already completed certain levels of study eventually experience a sense of limitation. Their intonation continues to improve, their musical understanding deepens, and yet something in the sound remains restrained. At this stage, it is natural to assume that the solution lies in upgrading the violin itself. In many cases, however, the real transformation comes not from the instrument, but from the bow. This idea can feel counter-intuitive. After all, the violin is the body that resonates, projects, and shapes the sound. Yet in practise, it is the bow that creates the sound in the first place, initiating [...]