Handbook Of Violin Playing - Online tutorial

A Tutorial For Classical Style Violin, full online instruction.

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	THE TECHNIQUE OF VIOLIN PLAYING.	37
	The various kinds of bowing. These are best classified into "primary" bowings (Grund-Bogenstriche) of which there are six different examples, and "secondary" bowings (Neben-Bogenstriche). Primary bowings. i. The rapid detached stroke with the whole bow (Grand detache). This is executed in such a manner that the bow moves quickly from its nut to its point, and back again in the same line, — parallel to the bridge. Between each stroke there must be a pause, but during it the bow must not leave the string. It must be so quickly executed that a crotchet is made to sound like a semiquaver.
	The stick must be firmly held between the thumb and the first and second fingers. The elbow, at the commencement of the down stroke must rest close to the body, and, on reaching the point of the bow, not be raised above the stick. Especial care is needed in order to make the up strokes equal in power to the down strokes. 2. The "singing" stroke. Also executed with the whole bow. The first contact must be delicate, and the single tones must follow each other without interruption. The player, drawing the bow quite parallel with the bridge, must press more and more as the point is reached. At the change of stroke, the wrist makes a slight move­ment, and the elbow assumes the same positions as in the previous grand detache" bowing.