I recently switched my fiddle’s E string from a Dominant (wound) to a Pirastro Gold (not wound), and now my bow is sliding when doing quick, non-slurred crossings from the A string to the open E string. I tried adding more rosin to the bow, but it didn’t seem to help. This is very annoying, so I would appreciate if someone would provide a helpful solution.
I don’t know what the magic formula is that causes some people/instruments to have this problem when others don’t, but I have had it.
Apart from general concerns I have about whether my very old fiddle has conformation problems which prevent a perfect set up, there is a way
to solve the E slide problem, and that is with a no-slide e string. There are brands which are sold as such, and it usually means an e string which is wound–i.e. the exterior surface has that coiled texture rather than being smooth.
It might be that you’re not holding the bow at perfectly right angles to the string. The wound E string gave you a bit of grip, but now you’re on your own.
This happened to me a LOT when I started playing fiddle and someone suggested I watch myself in a mirror to check bow position. That fixed it.
I guess it’s probably good then, that I’m having the problem at this relatively early stage rather than 5 years into it. Hopefully I can break this habit. Thanks, both of you, for the suggestions.
Same as.
Except in my case it’s fixing it, not fixed it… 
Well yeah, there’s that…
Actually, my fiddle playing could use a LOT of fixing-- it’s still not ready for public consumption.
I did notice one thing though… I’ve been playing mandolin a lot lately and hadn’t touched the fiddle in a long time. I picked it up yesterday and found that I played a lot better than the last time I played it. Crossover skills from the mandolin?
Yes, I seem to be at this stage as well, bud 
And I’ve found when I play as of late, the dog of the family likes to join in. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing, or a bad thing 
We don’t have a dog, but the cat looks as if she has some sympathy for the poor fiddle…
Yeh, my playing isn’t ready for public consumption either… but I don’t let that stop me! I’ve played it down the pub for the last few of our informal jams. It’s a bit painful, but a definite boost to progress.
Mando/fiddle crossover benefit - definitely. I find mandolin skills help with fiddle more than the other way around, but I do find it very easy to play a new tune learned on fiddle on the mando. The fact that the two instruments I currently enjoy most are kind of complementary to each other is great.
That sliding bow thing is definitely getting better for me. It’s with good reason that mirror use is so widely recommended.
Our cats look nervous when I play too, but I’ve assured them I dont have catgut strings on the fiddle… 