I just started playing about 3 days ago and I just learned the Love Theme From the Godfather but it seems when I lift the bow off the strings a little it sounds more like the really deal. It seems a little hard to balance. I think this is because the bow is too heavy. I think a light bow would work best. I don't want to spend more than $35 dollars on one. Any suggestions?

Also can the weight of the bow cause the rosin to be more sticky and cake onto the strings?

its true that the weight of your bow can greatly affect your tone quality, but beware that if you really want a new bow, you wont be able to get a good one for $35. my bow cost over $1000. so i doubt that a new bow of that quality would make that much difference in your playing.

instead, try experimenting with bow placement (where it is between the bridge and fingerboard), speed, how flat the hair is on the string, and how much pressure you apply.

in answer to your other question, bow weight wont have a large effect on the caking of rosin on the strings. rosin should never 'cake' on. if it does, you can use soft cloth to clean it off the strings. perhaps you have too much on your bow, or the rosin could be a bad brand.

I don't remember how much mines cost because I've had it for 7 years. It's still amazingly good...

If you get a cake of rosin, there's a big chance that you are putting too much. Also if there's a ittle "puff" of rosin dust in the air when you play something, that's an indication too.

The weight of the bow does have an impact. Maybe you just have the wrong bow for your instrument, or it's just not suited to your needs. Maybe you can trade it in for a lighter one.

3 days isnt a long time. The best way youare going to answer any questions is just by practicing and figuring out how to do things. Each person plays different so no person can explain it in the perfect way that it is going to make sense. Getting a teacher if affordable ar wanted is almost a necessity (sp?). Asking him/her questions is the best way to clear things up. But NO! (lol) A LIGHTER BOW WILL NOT HELP!

....CONTINUATION (sorry hit enter) Dont try to get it off on the easy end by doing what you think is going to help you in the right now short term. Because you should be able to pick up any bow and be able to play any song in the world with any bow. (eventaully, like years down the rode)...(lol, not the flying spiccicato, thats a little different) Just like when your bow cost more and more (mine was 750) it gets so sensitive that it will really bounce and gets so annoying if you arent careful. Especially when you kept your old bow, because you tell your self that it will be easier witha less sensitive bow, but in the long term its will NOT help you at all. It may take some time, when you first start out my teacher told me i was not supposed to make a good sound, she wanted me to squawk(put a lot of pressure on the bow) That helped out a lot. But overall, just try to figure it out on your own time, take it slow, dont rush, and do it right. Good Luck!

Was it JUST made? Or never been used? There is a possible reason! Too much hair. A new bow has to have extra hair, since bow hair falls out all the time. If you have any friends that play violin, see their bows. If theirs are a lot lighter, then see a person who fixes or sells violins. The wood might be from a weird tree. You never know! They can probrably fix your problem.