Doflein Violin Method Volume 1 Bow Distribution

Edited: March 7, 2023, 8:03 AM · Keeping a similar tone with different bow speeds is a vital new skill!
The quarters will need a lighter stoke but without losing contact.

March 10, 2023, 10:13 AM · Dale,

When I introduce Ex. 33 I point out using the rests to circle around for a downbow following the rest. In addition I point out using half-bows as in measure 3 so that the dotted half in measure 4 is an full up bow.

E&E aren't clear in what they expect the student to do with the bow and it's an opportunity for the teacher to demonstrate and teach a variety of bowing styles. You can even do an up-up-up or down-down-down.

Be creative and use this to show the variety of bow strokes.

March 10, 2023, 10:32 AM · It's a wonderful method. Even his little technical studies are attractive, and are always linked to the succeeding pieces.
Doflein also produced trio books for the method, as well as very satisfactory editions of duets and sonatas.

He introduces "high 3" before "low 2", and his duet volumes are often in A major; I have often transposed them into G major for my Suzuki students.

March 10, 2023, 1:04 PM · Adrian,

There is a reason for Doflein's Four Attitudes. Starting with the half step between 2&3 allows the student to play a full scale across two adjacent strings. This is First Attitude.

Second attitude is the half step between 3&4. This facilitates playing the key of A-Major across all four strings Second attitude on the G and D strings and first attitude on the A and E strings.

It is important to know that their target student is around 10 years old. And, they want the musician to use their fourth (pinky) finger. At 10 fine motor control should be well established by then.

Suzuki starts when fine motor control is just beginning as it comes after verbal skills are in development.

March 10, 2023, 7:19 PM · Thank you for the feedback. I saw multiple mentions of the Doflein method on this forum and its attractive selection of music. I decided it would be a good vehicle to go back and revisit basics in a structured manner to help shore up or highlight deficient technique while using short and attractive pieces or exercises. So far, I feel it has been pointing out how much I have been neglecting the full use of the bow. From what I get of E&E's bowing scheme this far, everything is either half bows (upper/lower) or whole bow. Normally for something like #33 measure 3, I would scoot up the bow over the course of the 3 quarter notes to get from the frog to the tip so the dotted half note has the full bow up bow as you mentioned. However, I was getting the impression that part of the 'exercise' was staying in the lower half for the first two quarter notes and then whole bowing the last quarter note to the tip in preparation for the dotted half note up bow. Essentially as #31 details for the half note and quarter note combo. I guess the takeaway is probably that unless it's specifically marked, experimenting with multiple approaches is appropriate.

Edited: March 12, 2023, 7:44 AM · Or, "scoot" up to the tip for the first quarter, followed by half bows for beats 2 & 3.
This would give an gentle(?) accent to the first beat.