As StevieJ and others have pointed out, relaxation is the key. When I’m practising a new or tricky tune, that’s when I tense up (especially mt left arm, my right never seems to suffer) with resultant aches soon building up.[/quote]
Interesting
Hey David,
Speaking of fiddle and pipes, great to hear you are taking up the fiddle!
Most, if not all of any pain I have during or after playing is due to muscular tension, so relax your right shoulder all the way down to your fingers, even as you play! As far as the bow grip, I would not rush to move up the the bow away from the frog of the bow quite yet, I would think of holding the bow as more of balancing then gripping tightly…
Paddy the B piper sez hi and good luck in Montreal!
I played second fiddle (non-miked) for a contra dance band in Tucson. I noticed that the first fiddle player always held her bow above the frog, especially for the fast reels with a lot of notes. There are light-weight, carbon fiber bows on the market now that allow for very fast playing, so I am not sure whether the above-the-frog grip would be necessary for these lighter bows.
There’s also what’s known as the beginner’s grip in classical playing where you place your thumb on the flat bottom part of the frog as opposed to between the hairs and the bow. I think it was John Hartford who said he showed this to Yo Yo Ma who started using it himself. I don’t know if he still does or if he just did for his fiddle stuff he did but it does seem to make it easier to get a nicer tone out of the strings I thought. …maybe it would also ease up on the pressure on the little finger you mentioned, I don’t know.
James Kelly occasionally switches from his standard grip to this one (ie., holding the frog), just for a change, I think.
I’ve done it myself, but I didn’t pay attention to the difference in tone, should check it out again.
Hi Karen, say hi to Pat for me
David
Google ‘Alexander technique’ and violin - lot’s of useful info.
Pat says hi back!
Pat talks a lot about having to overcome “death grip on the chanter”, maybe you have bow death grip a little bit! Alexander Technique does have some good ideas, but I bet you know how to relax somehow! 
What does Willie Kelly have to say about it?
It sounds like you are trying to grip the bow without your thumb bent at all. Your thumb needs to be relaxed. Do this…hold out your hand with all fingers and thumb extended and wiggle your wrist…notice all the tension? Now, place your hand on a table, with your fingertips lightly curled and relaxed, with the heel of your palm on the table. Notice that your thumb is sitting sort of on its side? And slightly curved? And relaxed? That is how you want your fingers to wrap around the bow. Try not to think of it as a “grip” or hold"..if you are gripping or holding, that implies tension or tightness and you don’t want that.
http://violinmasterclass.com/bowgrip.php
nice exercises here for bow grip/hold.
Exactly… power, surprisingly or not, does not come from muscles working hard. If you want a powerful sound, you can adjust your grip and playing position to allow gravity and the natural weight of your arm and shoulder to do the work.
Of course, this is only one approach, but it’s least tough on your body!
“But you ARE Power”
“Exactly”
I think Nano said that because my second name is “Power”
Thanks for all the advice.
I’ve changed my grip (featherlite) to three fingers and I’m not so concerned with having my thumb poked in at the end of the frog, the pain in the pinky knuckle is gone, and I’m fiddling like a bastard
David
Helpful links all…many thanks. Have been playing the fiddle for 3 months now and loving it but much to learn. Going to spend some time now watching the videos from Sunnybears link…