bowing | Strings Magazine | For players of violin, viola, cello, bass & fiddle

10 Bow Stroke Tips from Violinist Kelly Hall-Tompkins

For string players, gaining a command of basic bow strokes is paramount. Here are 10 tips to master bow strokes on the violin or viola.

violinist practicing Martele bowing technique on violin

A Refresher on Bold Martelé Bowing Technique

Martelé bowing is remarkably useful as a teaching tool, specifically for bow-hand strength & balance, & for development of accurate direction in the bow arm.

man on skiis with violin case strapped to his back

Snow Day: 6 Things Cross-Country Skiing Has Taught Me About Bowing Technique

Having skied almost daily now for nearly two months straight, I’ve discovered some things in the frozen wilderness that have direct string-playing parallels. It turns out violists can learn a lot about bowing from a set of ski poles.

hand with closed fist and limp writs demonstrating bow-arm tension

How to Overcome Bow-Hand and Bow-Arm Tension on Strings

Before you can produce the smooth sound on violin, viola, cello, or bass, that attracted you to strings in the first place, you have to overcome that tension in the bow hand.

How To Master the Legato Bow Stroke (Hint: It’s Harder Than You Think)

By Laurie Niles | From the November-December 2020 issue of Strings magazine Flashy bow strokes, such as spiccato, sautillé, staccato, and ricochet, get a lo... Read More...

Is It Possible To Play with a Straight Bow?

By Miranda Wilson “Your bow’s not straight.” I found myself writing this comment again and again in undergraduate string juries, often for good players who ha... Read More...

Successfully Playing Beethoven’s Music Requires Mastery of Your Bow-Arm Weight

By Miranda Wilson Every great composer has a few signature devices that happen so often, and in so many compositions, that an experienced listener can instantl... Read More...

3 Old-Time Fiddling Tips: How to Work the Bow

If your classical training prevents you from making old-time fiddle melodies and phrasing sound authentic, mastering these 3 bow strokes can help.

common bowing problems demonstrated by a woman holding a violin

What Causes Squeaky, Airy, and Scratchy Sounds?

Squeaky, airy, scratchy and unclear sounds indicate that a bow is not properly gripping and vibrating the strings.

Learn to Develop a More Natural-feeling Bow Hold

A 5-step approach to finding the perfect grip for your violin or viola bow By Laurel Thomsen Fig. 1: Turn your hand over so the palm faces ... Read More...