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Any tips on string changes with the bow? Sometimes I make the change and it is ok, no strange two tone noises. Other times it is horrible! I find myself trying to stop bowing as I change and I know it is not necessary to stop. I can't see what I am doing different when it sounds good as opposed to when it sounds like a cat is being tortured. I know the cardinal rule, practice makes perfect, I was hoping for a little list of things that should be done as you move from one string to another. And things not to do as well. In the mean time I will keep practicing! Doing lots of scales and making my teenage son crazy!
Dave
I'm sure there are many things that can louse up string crossings but there is one that I specialize in.
This is, changing bow attack angle from one string to another. That has the effect of dragging the bow across the string minutely, but big time to the ear. I believe the experts call that keeping a consistent sounding point.
I also mess up string changes with having too low a bow velocity.
Another way, less frequent, is to have a poor attack angle on the string. An "A" string, for instance, has a pretty wide angle of possible attack. There are things like a "low" "A" attack or high depending where you coming from and they may sound different depending on rosin residue profile.
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Great tips Oliver.
As Oliver pointed out, having the right angle for the change is important.
In other words, if you are on the G string going to the D string, start lowering your right elbow slightly before the change so that it is in the correct position.
Keep the bow moving exactly as if you were not going to change.
Keep the bow angle as close to the next string as possible without actually touching it. Especially important when playing on the G or E since they allow you to play further from the other strings. With the D and A you are forced to avoid strings on both sides.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Thank you both, I will work on it. Haven't played in days, all work and no play. But my work is a blast, so it's not so bad!
With all the angle of attack jargon you sound like a fighter pilot Oliver! Good tips though.
Dave
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David Burns said:
With all the angle of attack jargon you sound like a fighter pilot Oliver! Good tips though.
LOL, that's true.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
My violin has a very bad attitude and is not to be trusted. It only responds to brute force.
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Your post didn't show up but I now see your facebook icon.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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I was trying to upload a video of me playing Amazing Grace. It is in .wmv format. Is there a way to do this? Or does the source have to be a url online? I tried to point the source to my hard drive, it just puts a blank box in my post while editing. After I post it the box disappears.
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I can't help with the video. I have been working on Amazing Grace also. You posted at a earlier date the that slur was giving you trouble. Me too, sometimes it is smooth as silk and other time I can't get both hands to operate separately, I know it will come with practice. How is that slur coming for you?
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It is getting better, I can hit it maybe 5 out of 8 times. Try closing your eyes and playing it a bit forcefully. Your arm knows where to go, for me it is a question of getting my left had where it needs to be!
Dave
p.s. I do screech it from time to time. Or stop bowing and it makes the scratchy sound.
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Thanks I'll try that. I have the scratching sound also, when I'm watching my fingers I'm thinking about it too much. If I relax and let my fingers just go it is easier.
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As a beginner I'm always experiencing this, but I have a remedy for this after analyzing what's wrong, first be sure that you've pressed the string tight enough to touch the fingerboard, and second be sure that you don't bowed any adjacent string(commonly in D and A string), btw don't be too harsh to your violin while bowing and proper intonation and bowing is the key to produce a really nice sound. Goodluck!
P.S. I'm kinda lazy reading all the reply in this topic, sorry if my reply is kinda same w/ others LOL! :))
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As Roq mentioned, press firm enough with the left hand fingers but not so much that you will feel pain. Obviously if you are playing much more than ever before you may experience a little but find a happy median with left hand finger pressure.
Keep the bow moving as evenly as possible concerning bow-speed. To equal bow pressure on two strings you need to add a little pressure when you bow double-stops. When adding bow-pressure turn the hand towards the violin rather than any type of right arm muscle tensing. Always try to be as relaxed as possible.
Don't tense any other part of your body while concentrating on the task either. This is actually more common than people think.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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I do find my self tensing up from time to time. Usually when learning something new. Time to go back to something I know, work on fluid motions, RELAX!
Dave
P.S.
I keep dreading the day I will scroll down to post and find "Calculus Required"
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I have lots of problems with string changes, but I've found that if I watch where the bow is contacting it flows smoother. Of course, I need to know the notes beforehand so it doesn't just stop there.
Fiddlerman said:
When adding bow-pressure turn the hand towards the violin rather than any type of right arm muscle tensing.
Did you mean to turn the right hand, wrist over? i.e. more pressure with the index finger?
If you think you can, or you think you can't, you're probably right.
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Robyn.fnq said:
Did you mean to turn the right hand, wrist over? i.e. more pressure with the index finger?
Well not so much with the wrist as the forearm actually. I don't want people to think of it as index finger pressure though that is what it is as a result. As long as one can add pressure without tensing.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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This is an interesting topic thread. It goes off track for a little bit, but string crossing issues seems to come up a bit. There are a lot of tips in this thread.
Feel free to pick up where this left off with more discussion and questions.
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