Does anyone know if it is possible to purchase a violin bow made without horse's hair? Are there any vegan alternatives? I used to play the violin and want to again after I had a go on one the other day, following a break of probably close to two decades.
Thanks.
Replies
My 2 cents on both your violin bow and veganism in general. These thoughts evolved over 20 years as a musician and veg.
I do understand that to label oneself vegan is to exclude the consumption of and use of any animals or products. However, it is of my opinion and experience that taking this to the limits is counterproductive. In the case of horse hair for a violin bow- it is not only well suited for the task, but it is biodegradable and sustainable as well. Plus, it can be procured without injury or death to the horse.
Now, contrast this to a synthetic substance. To my knowledge there is no other substitute of similar or better quality. It will not be biodegradable, and likely made from a petro-chemical substance. This is not good for the environment or our animal friends as a whole.
Of course, there can be many moral arguments against using the horse hair, especially if procured in a non-ideal manner, but I can see little argument against using horse hair if obtained "ethically". In my opinion this would be from non- confined horses, and not taking 100% of their tail hair (likely not even 1/3 or 1/4) so they can continue to have fly swatting ability with their tails. Now, I am not 100% sure about their tail hair sensitivity, but I do know you can literally rip out a horses main hair (which is the same make up) and the horse won't even flinch, as they have little to no sensitivity there.
Now this is just one example, but I feel that many similar scenarios exist where the animal product is the "better" choice. I am certainly against captivity raised animals being slaughtered for product, but animals do die naturally all the time, and what is so un-vegan (in intent, not name) to using some for good purposes. Of course, as a society we must curb our animal product lust, yet I truly think vegans must abstain from absolute animal abstention if they are to be true to veganisms intentions.
Other examples that I feel are similar:
-Discarding already owned leather footwear in favor of buying "vegan" shoes. in my experience the vegan fo-leathers don't last long, and there is a net environmental loss in purchasing something you didn't need.
-Eschewing any used car with leather seats you might purchase. The choice was already made. If buying new, that is your chance to vote.
-Disregarding all animal wools (sheep, alpaca, etc...) when they might be a better choice in terms of longevity and environmental impact. I don't know the answers here as I've never looked into it, but i think it's worth looking into!
To be fair, I used to avoid all animal products, or at least try to. It took me 20+ years of different approaches and thinking to have what is a more balanced perspective (in my opinion). I played woodwind instruments professionally, and traditionally our pads are made of leather. I wrestled with this for a bit, but they can have a 70+ year lifespan and remain stable. It would take many sets of synthetic pads over the same time frame, as well as a lot of potent glue. Never mind that they are never work as well and cause many leaks and other problems.
I think about topics like this often, so I'm glad this gave me a chance to share my opinion. I believe the majority or work to be done to positively help the vegan movement is on the big things, not the little battles in the margins. I welcome the day when these are the major issues still left though! I also welcome any complementary or dissenting opinions.
Justin
Found this: http://www.vegangirl.com/old_site/Violin.html
The Bow:
Incredibow www.incredibow.com
Important information:
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The strings:
Information about all types of strings at www.violinist.com. Link about strings:
http://www.violinist.com/wiki/violin-strings/
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Larsen Tzigane - These new synthetic core strings have received very favorable reviews from violinists. They seem to have rich undertones and a nice timbre range for synthetic strings, good projection with less tension than other strings, and responsiveness.
Other non-animal strings are: Thomastik-Vision, Pirastro Wondertone Solo, Obligato, Pirastro Tonica, Pirastro Violino, etc. You can find out more following the link.
THe Varnish:
I don't have a lot of info on this one, but my friend herself told me that nut oil is good enough as a replacement. Here is a link about a vegan luthier who uses linseed oil (this was a lot of years ago, maybe he has refined his technique):
http://www.ivu.org/articles/net/russell.html
Glue:
I have no idea. There are vegetal alternatives, but I've heard they are not so good. Anyway, anything's better than using dead animals! You can chip in here if you like (or anywhere, for that matter!). Though I even read someone say glue isn't such a big deal since he knew of a guy who used a combination of UHU and Superglue to glue his violin. Who knows!
Well, that's it. Hope this is of help to some of you.
I'll second the info above, just looked at my packages...I use the Dominant mittel (middle), which are really nice when you don't have pennies to get a better quality one. When I had pennies, I bought Pirastro Tonica stark (hard/strong) which make playing so easy and the tone comes out with next to no effort...when playing in I-don't-know-what-position-it-is-'cause-it's-so-high high notes, they actually make a beautiful sound and you might be mistaken for playing like the greats...Itzhak Perlman or Jascha Heifetz or whoever you idealize. Happened to me when I asked my stand partner if I could play her Guarneri and she said it sounded like Perlman, I just said that I was just goofing off...I was so nervous to hold a piece of history! That was then (sigh)...out of practice will have ya talking of the good ol' days!
Thanks for letting me jabber and share! *now where is my practice mute....?*
Thanks. I'll enquire in a local music shop. The last time I was interested no one had heard of non-horse hair bows. I still have my old violin from many years ago, kept in an attic. Unfortunately insects have destroyed the hair of it, but the violin itself is still okay. I'm not happy with the thought of using it, however, knowing now that it likely contains many products (glues, varnish, etc.) derived specifically from animals. I'm considering an electric violin!
Beginner bows are always made of synthetic/plastic "hair", but they sound horrible, no matter how good you are it will squeak and squeal.
I guess I never thought about the whole horse tail bows and cat gut strings...I just realized the silk core strings...wow, I guess these things were just fact and now I'm beginning to understand what is really going on...not just with food.
Do let us know what you find.
Will do. I hope I find one that won't sound too bad, or at least works well enough with an electric fiddle. Failing that, maybe I'll buy a synthesizer with violin pre-sets, God forbid!
I have a "regular" bow and I use bass rosin to give it more stick to the sound...I dunno how to describe it. It works with my beginner bow that I use for practice. The thing about bass rosin is that you need to make sure you rosin it every time or it will kinda dry-like and make the bow not make a sound at all. If you try and don't like, then you'll need to go back and super-duper violin rosin the bow to get it back. It's just my personal preference, but I used it like that in the several orchestras that I was in.
Don't do the synthesizer...it's just not the same...and it's a waste of your violin talents. I haven't been playing regularly - maybe once or twice per year - and I'm really missing it. Gotta give up my 2-4a.m. computer time and put it to violin practice.;) I've also lost alot of my ability and have to practice to get back to where I used to be. Just a reminder to you that you might actually need to practice a bit...sorry, old violin teacher in me talking.
I think I have found one:
http://www.incredibow.com/
and also an interesting thread on animal products used to manufacture violins:
http://www.fiddleforum.com/fiddleforum/index.php?topic=33794.0