Reducing Tension
Many students (either consciously or unconsciously) squeeze, press, or grip the bow with the fingers while they are playing. Over time, this adds unnecessary tension and will be detrimental to your sound. It will cause the bow hand to become stiff and rigid, preventing the necessary flexibility for proper bow control.
A simple way to remedy this is to play the violin (either pieces, etudes, scales, open strings, etc.) while holding the bow with different combinations of fingers while the rest are floating in the air. This gives the player the sensation of what it feels like to play without pressing or squeezing the bow with the fingers. The player should play with the following finger combinations for one minute before allowing the floating fingers to drop back onto the bow stick. The player should then try to replicate the feeling that was had when the fingers were floating.
Finger Combinations:
Thumb-Index, Thumb-Middle, Thumb-Ring, Thumb-Pinky, Thumb-Index-Middle, Thumb-Index-Pinky, Thumb-Middle-Ring, Thumb-Ring-Pinky
Normal Hold (Lift Index), Normal Hold (Lift Middle), Normal Hold (Lift Ring), Normal Hold (Lift Pinky)
All 4 Fingers (Index, Middle, Ring, Pinky) but no Thumb; the ring finger is placed behind the bow stick on the thumb side in order to create the necessary balance necessary for holding the bow.