Fiddle talk - VIOLIN DISCUSSION FORUM - Playing the violin

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Stopping a bow stroke smoothly???

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LyleA

Advanced member

May 2, 2012 - 6:20 am

Member Since: January 28, 2012

Forum Posts: 57

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Hey everyone,

What is the best way to practice stopping you bow in mid stroke? Whenever I try (as it is called for in the sheet music) I always come to a scratchy, nasty sounding stop. I know I could just practice running the bow up and down and stopping constantly, but that sounds boring. Is there maybe a more interesting/fun way of practicing that anyone knows? Thanks.

myguitarnow

Laguna Beach

Pro advisor

May 2, 2012 - 6:39 am

Member Since: June 16, 2011

Forum Posts: 1094

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There really isn't any short cuts if you are really serious of wanting to get good at playing. Have fun with the boring stuff and realize down the road you will be able to do it. Practice, practice and practice. The people that keep trying to find short cuts and just want to play right now never get any good. Take your time and then down the road you'll get good…. Good luck ;-)

TerryT

Coleshill, Warwickshire

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May 2, 2012 - 6:58 am

Member Since: December 15, 2011

Forum Posts: 1555

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Are you allowed to lift the bow at the end of the note, or do you have to dive straight into the next note?

I was born with nothing, and to my surprise I still have most of it left!

Oliver

King

May 2, 2012 - 8:39 am

Member Since: February 28, 2011

Forum Posts: 2128

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Yes you can for artistic purposes or to "steer" bowing direction for strategic purposes.

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What….._in_violin

There are plenty of references with better discussions.

I think there is a symbol for bow lift but it's too early for me to think straight.

coffee2

The tempo of the music has a lot to do with it ????

When you come to a fork in the road, take it.

NoirVelours

Quebec

Honorary tenured advisor

May 2, 2012 - 8:43 am

Member Since: March 28, 2012

Forum Posts: 822

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I was asking FM about somethign similar, heck I asked him a couple time about how to not scare the cats away when you lift the bow and put it down for the next note. He answered… experience and a lot of practice, so I bet it's the same for changing direction! Hang in there many of us have similar difficulties! pink-violin-girl

"It can sing like a bird, it can cry like a human being, it can be very angry, it can be all that humans are" Maxim Vengerov

Chinny

Perth

Honorary advisor

May 2, 2012 - 9:19 am

Member Since: September 10, 2011

Forum Posts: 367

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The best tips I can give is that for beginners, to sound better they need to be confident. So even if they suck, if they just pretend they're amazing, they instantly become better. That seems to work with everyone I've introduced the violin to. Also another thing is that I find screechy stops tend to be more common in beginners not only because of lack of confidence but because they apply too much pressure when coming to the end of the note (probably due to nerves). Just let it glide, the rosin will do the sticking and plucking for you.

I don't know how many people will agree with me on that one but thats just my opinion so give it a shot and let me know how it goes.

NoirVelours

Quebec

Honorary tenured advisor

May 2, 2012 - 10:08 am

Member Since: March 28, 2012

Forum Posts: 822

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Relaxing everything when playing really improves the sound I agree with Chinny! The couple times I manage to do it showed a big improvement in everything, from a better bowing sound to faster fingering. Then I got all excited about it and tension came back yell we need to let go but it seems to take a whille to get there (for me anyway).