Practicing a Related Technique
Brushing up on your
de’tache’ may help you
master that bouncing bow
By Paul Stein
THE PROBLEM
Spiccato is the most sophisticated stroke
on the violin, but often the bow lands like
a thud instead of creating round, beautiful,
bouncy sounds.
Spiccato Technique
1. Keep the bow close to the string, and
be especially careful of the bow’s
angles when it changes strings.
2. Use the bouncing part of the bow,
usually right below the middle.
3. Play with an oblique angle to the string
,like the shape of the spoon.
4. Most of the motion comes from the wrist
and the fingers,and the arm should react
passively and cooperatively, like the tail
of the kite, Let the fingers react to the
bow’s movement like the fins of a fish.
How to nail it
By creating a strong, reliable de’tache’,
the spiccato stroke can replicate the more
common, rasier technique with its even
tempo and the continuous vibration of the
string.The spiccato will feel more grounded
and down to earth, If you experience a dry,
scratchy, and abruptly short tone, it can be
blamed on interrupting the cycle of the
de’tache’.While practicing a short de’tache’
just below the middle of the bows. Repeat
numerous down bows, leaving out the
confusing messages of alternating up
bows.Without becoming overly analytical,
let your mind observe the physical
sensations involved. Repeat the same
exercise with only up bows.
tempo and the continuous vibration of the
string.The spiccato will feel more grounded
and down to earth, If you experience a dry,
scratchy, and abruptly short tone, it can be
blamed on interrupting the cycle of the
de’tache’.While practicing a short de’tache’
just below the middle of the bows. Repeat
numerous down bows, leaving out the
confusing messages of alternating up
bows.Without becoming overly analytical,
let your mind observe the physical
sensations involved. Repeat the same
exercise with only up bows.
Further Spiccato Study
1. Become aware of different heights above
the strings. Let the rhythm of the music
guide your bow to and from the string.
2. With your bow comfortably above the
string ,drop the bow toward the string
with a bounce that’s immediately
followed by a short de’tache’ in a quick
,spontaneous motion.
3. Find out how long it takes to complete
the cycle from the air to the string, and
back to the air.
4. Avoid the crunch of hitting the string
too deeply and not being ready for
the connection between the string and
the hair.
For more on this sophisticated technique, read ‘Mastering Spiccato’ online at AllThingsStrings.com
