Listening for the click helps improve tone, articulation and coordination. The click means the ‘attack’ of a note, that is, the start of a note. …read more
Beginning Clicks
Introduction to Martelé
Definition “Hammered; a sharply accentuated, staccato bowing.” As a young student I learned from a teacher who dictated a wide use of martelé, including in …read more
Example from Ab Major Scale
In martelé the bowhair grips the string at the beginning of each note. This contact is released as soon as the bow begins to travel …read more
Insect Bites
Apply pressure at the beginning of each stroke to make the martelé accent. Start in the middle of the bow where the bowstick is more …read more
Thumb Underneath for Beginning Martelé
The challenge of martelé is to find a way to efficiently contact and quickly release the string. This can be a challenge for the beginner, …read more
Pronation Action with Pencil
Pronation is a way to apply pressure to the bow so that the bowhair grips the string. Rotate the forearm in an anti-clockwise direction from …read more
Pronation Action with the Bow
Pronate to make the martelé accent at the beginning of the stroke. Please login to view this video.
Thumb and Finger Power
It is impossible not to respond with pressure from the finger if the thumb pushes up. Conversely, the thumb responds with pressure when the finger …read more
Martelé with Whole-Arm String Cross
In this excerpt from Kreutzer’s “Study No.7” Fintan uses practice breaks and the martelé stroke to improve whole-arm string crossing. Three martelé strokes per note, …read more
Pizzicato and Martelé
Both pizzicato and martelé are good practice techniques to help monitor and improve coordination between left and right hands. This is an excerpt from Kreutzer’s …read more