String Pedagogy Notebook

Martelé Bow Strokes
Mastering the clean martelé
Keys to quality Martelé bow stroke
Other Ideas on Martelé
Staccato
Louré
Spiccato Introduction
Spiccato Basics
Slow Spiccato Quality of Sound
Spiccato - Controlling the Bounce
Spiccato on the Cello
Spiccato on the Bass
Repertoire that includes Spiccato
Common Problems and Solutions
More Ideas on Spiccato
Hooked Bowings

Mastering the clean martelé

When learning the martelé bow stroke, have the student stop the bow in between each bow stroke. Mastering the clean attack is especially important for double bassists, to remove transient harmonics from the tone.

When introducing martelé to students for the first time, begin by reviewing posture, bow hold, tone production, and intonation. Martelé can be effectively presented using a rhythmic pattern. For example, the first rhythm introduced in the Suzuki Twinkle Variations if often taught as a martelé bow stroke. It is also possible to focus exclusively on the "bite" of the stroke, free from a musical context.

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