Changing Bow Speed Beautifully (Video Blog)
Tired of running out of bow? Me too! Over the years I’ve even developed a notational symbol to remind me to start a note with slower bow speed (a double edged triangle, symbolizing caution). And still, it’s often too late by the time I realize what I’ve done.
In the intermediate to advanced studio, in fact, much time is devoted to working on bow speed, and by extension of course bow weight and contact point. All of this in the name of perfect phrasing. Half of the difficulty in changing bow speed is remembering to do so ahead of time, but some of the challenge I believe is actually physical. The solution? Start to get in the new bow speed mode before you need to - i.e. on the previous bow. If everything else about your change of direction is pretty much in order, this can be the cherry on top that makes it all feel and sound more fluid.
Here is a video I made for my studio demonstrating this little practice hack. It’s part of a bow distribution series I’m slowly working on. Try it out and let me know what you think. Find a few places of your repertoire and see if it helps your bow arm (and brain) get in the groove of mixing different bow speeds. Does it work for you?
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Good illustrative examples. I have to think ahead or I run out of bow. Thank you.
Thanks for this.
Awesome suggestion. I always have this problem and your suggestion will surely help!!
Open up p. 1 of Schradieck. How many people can play across a whole line without their tone sounding miserable or running out of bow? Any advice for improving that particular skill?
Hi all - thank you, glad it's useful. Paul, in answer to your question, not very many people can :) I've got some other bow saving videos currently in post production that might help. I sometimes find it helpful to chop the bow up - play 4 notes at a time with as little as I can muster while still sounding good, then work on the next 4 notes with as little as I can etc. It will make more sense in a demo. Of course playing Schradieck as fast as possible helps too :)
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May 8, 2019 at 06:03 AM · Nice simple advice that is relevant at both very low and very high levels of playing.