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Violin Bow Strokes Terms
Violin Bow Strokes Terms
Coll
Dtach
Dtach lanc
Legato
Lour
Martel
Staccato
*Articulation markings often mean different things. For example, a dot means shorten the note and can indicate bow strokes such as spiccato (off the string) and staccato (on the string). It is important to understand the context of the music and the purpose for the articulation in order to properly interpret the markings and corresponding bow strokes. It should also be noted that bowing terminology and markings are not always precise. Different bow strokes are often used in combination with other bow strokes to achieve the desired musical effect. Musicians sometimes disagree about how to interpret bowing terminology and markings, so use your best judgment, and enjoy the music!
NOTATION
NAME
Jet
DEFINITION
Jet means "thrown" in French. In this bow stroke, the bow is thrown on the string, and then bounces for several notes in the same bow direction. The height and speed of the bounce are regulated through factors such as the amount of pressure used by the index finger, and where the bow is initially thrown or placed.
Ricochet is a bow stroke where the bow is dropped on the string and rebounds (bounces) on the string for several notes in the same bow direction. The natural resiliency of the string helps the bow to bounce. As in the jet bow stroke, the height and speed of the Ricochet bounce are regulated through factors such as additional pressure used by the index finger, and where the bow is initially thrown or placed. Although ricochet and jet are similar, some violinists consider jet to be more of a controlled bounce than ricochet (there are some violinists who use these terms interchangeably). Sautill is a fast, bouncing or springing stroke in which the bow naturally bounces off of the string, producing a lighter, more rapid, and less percussive sound than spiccato. The natural resiliency of the bow is utilized to produce this light, fast stroke, and it is often played in the middle of the bow. Spiccato is an off-the-string, controlled bouncing bow stroke which produces a crisp sound and very short notes. It is the slowest of the bouncing strokes.
Sautill
Spiccato