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
Martelé, Collé, Hookstroke & Upbow staccato
Collé with Pencil
Practise your collé with a pencil. Put your left hand on your right wrist to encourage just your hand and fingers to move. Try this …read more
Preparatory Rebounds for Collé
When we repeat any bow stroke going in the same direction we need to let the bow hold rebound or reform back to its starting …read more
Collé with 1st-Finger Release
This additional action of the first finger allows extra release (‘give’) in the base knuckles. It also gives longer collé up-bows…. New members register here …read more
Three Approaches to Upbow Staccato
Different players find different solutions to how best to play up-bow staccato. Here are three common approaches: Pronation and supination … New members register here …read more
Practice Break before String Cross
Insert a practice break before the string crossing, and maintain your bow friction as you cross strings…. New members register here for VBT+ Current members …read more
Lead with the Left Hand
The rhythmic finger-fall in the left hand is important and affects our coordination with the right arm. There are some bow-strokes (sautillé, three… New members …read more
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, inc… New …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