Keeping the thumb bent on the bow hand does make a considerable difference in tone production. When the thumb is straight it tends to lock up the wrist, which prevents smooth and controlled bowing. It can also limit flexibility and reach.

A good exercise is to hold the bow with just the middle finger and thumb to form a ring. This is the foundation of the bow hold on which everything is built. It’s useful to practice playing this way a bit to get the sense of center.

It’s certainly possible to play with a straight thumb, but I would warn that it will hold you back and it’s a good habit to break as early as possible.

Just don't lock your thumb IE: Keep it like you where relaxed, and "Signing" "Belissimo" or "OK" between your thumb first and middle fingers. The rest of the fingers will fall into place.

Arthritis is now making it very difficult for me to bend that first knuckle on my thumb. Any suggestions?

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Originally posted by carlb

Arthritis is now making it very difficult for me to bend that first knuckle on my thumb. Any suggestions?

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I wish there were a good answer. A medical professional, especially one who works with musicians, may have the best advice. There are all kinds of home remedies that are suggested, but it's hard to know how effective they are. 

Yes, almost certainly a medical professional is the best answer.

There are devices on the market designed to make the bow “easier” to hold. You could contact shops that deal in accessories.

You might begin to consider an alternate method of holding the bow - thumb under the frog for instance or something similar. Not particularly elegant, but if it becomes necessary, you’d be ahead of the re-learning process.

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Originally posted by Johnbow

You might begin to consider an alternate method of holding the bow - thumb under the frog for instance or something similar. Not particularly elegant, but if it becomes necessary, you’d be ahead of the re-learning process.

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At risk of drawing fire from Rich, some of the most "elegant" fiddlers ever used thumb under frog: Kenny Baker, Mark O'Connor, Michael Cleveland, Natalie MacMaster, Vasser Clements, Byron Berline, and a whole bunch of really smooth TX fiddlers from the days when contest fiddlers were learning from older contest fiddlers instead of violinists.  I've tried it and got good tone and a smooth bow, but it felt clumsy so I never stuck with it.

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Originally posted by bacfire

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Originally posted by Johnbow

You might begin to consider an alternate method of holding the bow - thumb under the frog for instance or something similar. Not particularly elegant, but if it becomes necessary, you’d be ahead of the re-learning process.

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At risk of drawing fire from Rich, some of the most "elegant" fiddlers ever used thumb under frog: Kenny Baker, Mark O'Connor, Michael Cleveland, Natalie MacMaster, Vasser Clements, Byron Berline, and a whole bunch of really smooth TX fiddlers from the days when contest fiddlers were learning from older contest fiddlers instead of violinists.  I've tried it and got good tone and a smooth bow, but it felt clumsy so I never stuck with it.

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Those are some big names. If it's good enough for them, it's good enough for me. Thankfully, my thumb is willing to cooperate.

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Originally posted by bacfire

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Originally posted by Johnbow

You might begin to consider an alternate method of holding the bow - thumb under the frog for instance or something similar. Not particularly elegant, but if it becomes necessary, you’d be ahead of the re-learning process.

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At risk of drawing fire from Rich, some of the most "elegant" fiddlers ever used thumb under frog: Kenny Baker, Mark O'Connor, Michael Cleveland, Natalie MacMaster, Vasser Clements, Byron Berline, and a whole bunch of really smooth TX fiddlers from the days when contest fiddlers were learning from older contest fiddlers instead of violinists.  I've tried it and got good tone and a smooth bow, but it felt clumsy so I never stuck with it.

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Placing the thumb under the frog isn't some kind of fiddling secret. It was a technique used by many players in the baroque and classical eras before technique became more standardized as violin literature got increasingly difficult. A number of Texas fiddlers have used that bow hold, but just as many haven't, and the use of the hold was not what made the fiddlers good. It doesn't look to me like Natalie MacMaster uses that hold, and neither did her father, but that's beside the point. As I said in another thread, I don't think the tradition is built on the playing positions but rather on the phrasing.

Something that's important about the Texas fiddlers who have used the thumb under frog hold is that their finger position is altered to be more in line with the thumb and to give the wrist better flexibility. If you hold the fingers in a more standard position and drop the thumb down, it locks up the wrist. The Texas fiddler hold moves the "center of gravity" down toward the bottom edge of the frog instead of the underside of the stick. If you adjust your position accordingly, you'll likely find the hold a little less clunky, but it will nonetheless have limitations.

Since the thread was started to address problems in bow hold related to a medical condition that limits mobility, I completely understand wanting to consider alternative holds and I wholeheartedly agree that if an unorthodox hold makes playing possible without pain, it may well be a better option unless medical intervention can address the source of the problem. My point is not to say that alternative holds should never be used, only to make known the limitations that different holds may cause, so that a decision can be made thoughtfully.  

I have found that the thumb under hold gives me better control over the bow. Think of how the fingers and thumb position provides better leverage for both increasing and decreasing bow pressure quickly. For whatever reason I have also always found it gives a bit fuller tone which suits my style.

Whatever that woman is doing with her bow... I decided to search online and found a video of her playing in a band with that hold. It doesn't answer the question, but she looks like a fairly inexperienced player.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dw6LihZ0iI

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Originally posted by The Violin Beautiful

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Placing the thumb under the frog isn't some kind of fiddling secret. It was a technique used by many players in the baroque and classical eras before technique became more standardized as violin literature got increasingly difficult. A number of Texas fiddlers have used that bow hold, but just as many haven't, and the use of the hold was not what made the fiddlers good. It doesn't look to me like Natalie MacMaster uses that hold, and neither did her father, but that's beside the point. As I said in another thread, I don't think the tradition is built on the playing positions but rather on the phrasing.

Since the thread was started to address problems in bow hold related to a medical condition that limits mobility, I completely understand wanting to consider alternative holds and I wholeheartedly agree that if an unorthodox hold makes playing possible without pain, it may well be a better option unless medical intervention can address the source of the problem. My point is not to say that alternative holds should never be used, only to make known the limitations that different holds may cause, so that a decision can be made thoughtfully.  

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I'm pretty sure Natalie used thumb-under-frog early in her career, but she may have switched to something more conventional.  I'm thinking O'Connor may have switched, too, but he was still "TUF" the last time I saw him live sometime back in the '90s.  Anyhow, my point of that list wasn't to sell anyone on the superiority of TUF bow hold, but to say that it isn't really a handicap to a fiddler (not expecting you to agree).  

I managed to adopt a reasonably good Franco-Belgian hold during my recent (but brief) foray into the violin world.  Physical limitations were definitely a roadblock, though.  My teacher insisted that I adopt a proper shoulder hold, but a lifetime of rough work and play that resulted in a collection of 31 broken bones meant that my right shoulder just wasn't into it.  She felt that I could stretch and practice my way into a classical position.  I understand the importance of the mechanics and how one improper angle can throw everything else off, but I was hoping to work out some alternatives.  Anyhow, I think we both got frustrated with each other.  I found myself dreading lesson days, forcing myself to practice any at all, and just generally not enjoying music.  So I quit.

Also, if you were referring to Buddy MacMaster, he's Natalie's uncle.  

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Originally posted by bacfire

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Originally posted by The Violin Beautiful

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Placing the thumb under the frog isn't some kind of fiddling secret. It was a technique used by many players in the baroque and classical eras before technique became more standardized as violin literature got increasingly difficult. A number of Texas fiddlers have used that bow hold, but just as many haven't, and the use of the hold was not what made the fiddlers good. It doesn't look to me like Natalie MacMaster uses that hold, and neither did her father, but that's beside the point. As I said in another thread, I don't think the tradition is built on the playing positions but rather on the phrasing.

Since the thread was started to address problems in bow hold related to a medical condition that limits mobility, I completely understand wanting to consider alternative holds and I wholeheartedly agree that if an unorthodox hold makes playing possible without pain, it may well be a better option unless medical intervention can address the source of the problem. My point is not to say that alternative holds should never be used, only to make known the limitations that different holds may cause, so that a decision can be made thoughtfully.  

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I'm pretty sure Natalie used thumb-under-frog early in her career, but she may have switched to something more conventional.  I'm thinking O'Connor may have switched, too, but he was still "TUF" the last time I saw him live sometime back in the '90s.  Anyhow, my point of that list wasn't to sell anyone on the superiority of TUF bow hold, but to say that it isn't really a handicap to a fiddler (not expecting you to agree).  

I managed to adopt a reasonably good Franco-Belgian hold during my recent (but brief) foray into the violin world.  Physical limitations were definitely a roadblock, though.  My teacher insisted that I adopt a proper shoulder hold, but a lifetime of rough work and play that resulted in a collection of 31 broken bones meant that my right shoulder just wasn't into it.  She felt that I could stretch and practice my way into a classical position.  I understand the importance of the mechanics and how one improper angle can throw everything else off, but I was hoping to work out some alternatives.  Anyhow, I think we both got frustrated with each other.  I found myself dreading lesson days, forcing myself to practice any at all, and just generally not enjoying music.  So I quit.

Also, if you were referring to Buddy MacMaster, he's Natalie's uncle.  

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I stand corrected about Buddy MacMaster's relation to Natalie. I'm not sure whether Natalie used a thumb-under grip at some point or whether Mark O'Connor has switched to a different one now. In some pictures it looks as though O'Connor is using a more conventional hold, in others it looks like the thumb is still underneath. But if it is true that either of these players switched to a more conventional  hold, that is more evidence that there is good reason to adopt better technique when possible and that players are motivated to make changes by the benefits to their playing that come from optimized positions.

I partially agree about TUF not being a handicap for a fiddler--so long as the hold is adjusted such that the wrist is not locked and the repertoire doesn't require much technically of the player. As soon as more advanced technique shows up, it hits a wall. 

I try not to lock up any of my joints while fiddling. Soft, and supple joints for better tone and more comfort for the long sessions.

TUF did not seem to hinder Byron Berline, Benny Thomasson or Kenny Baker. Cyril Stinnet played some fine fiddle with his thumb under the frog. So did Chubby Wise.