Bow Stroke as an Extension of the Body

When a student learns the basic bow stroke, the first attempts to extend the bow stroke will likely be played with a unilateral body motion - the student's body and bow are moving in same direction. Often, the student's body will remain stiff and motionless, creating tension in the body.

As student improves the teacher must encourage bilateral motion. In bilateral motion as the bow moves from frog to tip the body moves away from instrument, as shown in the video at left. Bilateral motion promotes relaxation through a continuous flowing motion in the string player. Stiffness creates tension - motion releases tension.

When the bow stroke is balanced the weight will shift between the two legs, with the majority of weight is on left foot or left honch if player is sitting.

POSTURE • INSTRUMENT SIZING • INSTRUMENT POSITION

BOW HOLD • BOW STROKE • INTERMEDIATE RIGHT HAND SKILLS • ADVANCED RIGHT HAND SKILLS

LEFT HAND POSITION • SHIFTING • VIBRATO • ADVANCED LEFT HAND SKILLS