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I follow Northumbrian small-piper Kathryn Tickell on youtube, and for her tune of the month this month she was playing with a fiddler using an overbowed technique, so I though it might be of interest to Fiddlerman forumites. 
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Jim,
Thanks, very cool, almost sounds like she tuned to an open cord on her fiddle.
Thanks,
Mark
Master the Frog and you have mastered the bow.
Albert Sammons
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Thanks for this, Jim. I've seen people play with this overbow technique before. The sound is quite different. Maybe some day, if I can improve my regular bowing, I'll try this! 
Jim
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Thanks Jim. Interesting post. I hadn't heard of overbowing but think now some recordings I have heard and liked may be using this technique... I wonder if this is something new or has been around as long as the violin. Liked how this video sounded especially with the pipes.
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Never seen that before... thx... and great sound!
AND... never again have to worry about string crossings getting messed up, LOL.
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It seems the sound she is producing with overbowing is the same sound as what is called polyphonic playing or polyphonic bowing. See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curved_bow
Jim
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I was looking for info on this. I did find a video that shows more clearly what this is:
I am really not a fan. This is basically the only song I found being played on a violin with the over-bowed method in videos, and all by the same person. The one I posted has a better sound and closeups.
I am not talking about her talent or playing quality. It is the sound itself, and my preference. I am not a fan. To me, it sounds like noise. There is no clarity of sound and notes for my preference.
That said, it is fascinating. The bow looks flexible. I noticed a lot of what she was doing with the bow, but since I am not a fan, will leave it to you all to dissect, if you wish, but the video connected with the link above gives good closeup and sound.
Thanks, @Jim Dunleavy for sharing that video.
The Bumblebee Flies!
Please ignore any typos. My typing ability on a real typewriter did not transfer to these device key pads.
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Yes, I found the same thing. All the videos I could find were of Laura Cannell also.
Jim
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Very cool sound with the overbowed fiddle and Northumbrian pipes. Wonder what she tuned the fiddle to.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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I did not think horse hair came that long.
Success is the progressive realisation of a worthy ideal. —Earl Nightingale.
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Irv said
I did not think horse hair came that long.
They take off the frog on a regular bow and hold it on the other side between 1st and 2nd, or 2nd and 3rd fingers on the bow hand.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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This seems it would be excellent for playing a backup to a lead instrument. I guess technically this is a solo. Most of the control over notes is in the left hand. This is limiting compared to bowing the traditional way. Just my .0000000002 worth.
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Definitely limited in that you can only use the open strings that you tune to. The drones can't be changed that easily and quickly.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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So, for once @Fiddlerman, and most unusually Pierre ( ! ) I don't agree about using only the open strings if that's what you meant (tuned in many of the possible scordatura modes) - if you are really careful, you can catch two, and when fingering allows, sometimes 3, on a normally tuned fiddle... It's an - err - let's say - unusual bowing technique involving a lot of right-arm rotation to clear the "unwanted strings".... (truly something that nobody needs to learn ! ).
Ahh was just reading back, OK that's not maybe what you meant... OK no matter, I'll leave this posted... it is a fun thing to do, either with a bow that broke at the tip because you HAVE something that can do it, or "intentionally" by removing the frog
Honestly... it's fun.... trust me....
OK, OK, I'll have to do a vid... ROFL - but not today... soon... promise...
Hehehehe - great stuff
I seriously recommend not copying my mistakes. D'oh - 
Please make your own, different mistakes, and help us all learn :-)
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I like the sound, and it seems to me that the tuning is GDAE, so I may dismantle a cheap bow and have a go, but with all these things it's the music, not the instrument, that has to take precedence, and some of these musics are alien to me, and I'd probably want to move to the Orkneys or Shetland before jumping in feet first.
Andrew
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LOL @moving to Shetland @Gordon Shumway
I am certain you would be most welcome !
I seriously recommend not copying my mistakes. D'oh -
Please make your own, different mistakes, and help us all learn :-)
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