Introduction to Tone Production
The central variables: Speed, Point of Contact, Pressure Discussion of these three…
} Tone Production
Find the Balance Point
Balance the bow on your finger to find the point of balance,…
The Unmodified Bow
Hold the bow by the screw to ensure you do not add…
Slow Down-Bow, Fast Up-Bows
To minimize a surge in the sound, check that the faster up-bow…
Changing Bow Speed in Triple Time
When we have two beats on a down-bow and one beat on…
Staccato & Pulsing Through the Whole Bow
Moving through the bow and stopping at various points is a good…
Pulsing During Sustained Bow
Practise letting the bowhair sink into the string in all parts of…
Bow Friction for Fast Détaché
We often practise détaché passages at half tempo. When playing détaché passages…
Keep the Friction in String Crossing
Notice the bowstick maintaining friction during the string crossing. This makes for…
Close-Up of Hair
This is a practice technique for playing with exaggerated bow friction. You…
Five Lanes
When thinking about point of contact, give a number to the lanes…
Bowing Variables in Lanes 1,3,5
For Lane 5 over the fingerboard we use a lot of bow…
Meditation
Work out the best point of contact for the sound that you…
Point of Contact Changes from G to E Strings
Lower sounding strings are thicker and we need to adjust our point…
Example of Stable Point of Contact
Make sure to keep the point of contact stable when playing in…
Play Softly with Side of Hair
To play softer dynamics play on the side of the hair. Change…
Whole-Bow Strokes
The upper part of the bow is lighter than the heel of…
Extend the Number of Beats
‘Son filé’ bowing makes an excellent bowing warm-up and helps to develop…