Mastering the Bouncing Bow Strokes on the Violin

🎻The bouncing bow strokes, such as spiccato and sautille, are essential techniques for advanced violin playing.

🪜Mastering the six major motions of the right arm—shoulder, elbow, wrist, fingers, upper arm, and forearm—is crucial for controlling the bouncing bow strokes.

🔬Understanding the physics of the bow, including the natural bounce and springiness, is essential for achieving a controlled and resonant sound in spiccato and sautille bowing.

💡To achieve a controlled spiccato, practice using a handicapped bow hold and focus on the natural bounce and rotation motions of the arm.

🎵Experiment with different ratios of vertical and horizontal motions, and varying the ingredients for a desired tone color in spiccato and sautille bowing.

What are the key motions of the right arm involved in a bouncing bow stroke?

—The key motions of the right arm involved in a bouncing bow stroke are the motions from the shoulder, elbow, wrist, fingers, upper arm, and forearm.

How can I achieve a controlled spiccato bowing technique?

—To achieve a controlled spiccato bowing technique, practice with a handicapped bow hold and focus on the natural bounce and rotation motions of the arm. Experiment with different ratios of vertical and horizontal motions.

What is the importance of understanding the physics of the bow in achieving a controlled sound?

—Understanding the physics of the bow, including its natural bounce and springiness, is crucial in achieving a controlled and resonant sound in spiccato and sautille bowing.

Can you explain the difference between spiccato and sautille bowing techniques?

—Spiccato and sautille are both bouncing bowing techniques, but spiccato involves a controlled drop and bounce of the bow while sautille relies on pushing down into the string and allowing the natural springiness of both the string and bow to bounce the bow back up.

How can I vary the tone color in spiccato and sautille bowing?

—To vary the tone color in spiccato and sautille bowing, experiment with different ratios of vertical and horizontal motions, and vary the ingredients such as the level of push and release on the string.

00:00Introduction to bouncing bow strokes and the importance of mastering them in advanced violin playing.

00:16Explanation of the six major motions of the right arm involved in bouncing bow strokes: shoulder, elbow, wrist, fingers, upper arm, and forearm.

00:45Understanding the physics of the bow, including its natural bounce and springiness, and its importance in achieving a controlled and resonant sound in spiccato and sautille bowing.

01:39Tips for achieving a controlled spiccato bowing technique, including practicing with a handicapped bow hold and focusing on the natural bounce and rotation motions of the arm.

02:00The importance of finding the perfect ratio of vertical and horizontal motions and experimenting with different ingredients for desired tone colors in spiccato and sautille bowing.

02:52Explanation of sautille bowing technique, which relies on pushing down into the string and allowing the natural springiness of both the string and bow to bounce the bow back up.

04:16Final thoughts on the bouncing bow strokes and the importance of experimentation in achieving a broad palette of tone colors.