Tips on Executing Bow Strokes
Tchaikovsky Rococo: Var. #1 & 2 (Bow)
- How to control the bounce of off the string notes
- How to vary the bow strokes to get musical interest
- Agile and flexible in wrist and fingers
- A light rocking motion from the upper arm for string crossings
- Negate gravity and feel light in the arms and hands
- Both variations are the same tempo as the theme
- Var. 1: Slightly lift the bow between 2nd and 3rd note of the triplet, let index finger catch the string to begin 3rd note of triplet
- Var. 2: Spiccato stroke is below the middle of the bow and gets longer and more singing as one goes higher
- Eliminate heavy beats and give musical shape and direction
- Var. 1: The third note of the triplets should be light – the softest , not the loudest of the triplet
- Var. 2: Low register spiccato needs clarity; upper register more singing
About
Paul Katz
Paul Katz is known for his 26-year career as cellist of the internationally acclaimed Cleveland Quartet; as a world-renown teacher…
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"Squeezing the thumb blocks flexibility of the wrist and fingers." -Paul Katz
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