Hi I want to get the views of those among us who are experinced in playing both trad and classical thanks.
Just wondering about those players who play both trad fiddle and classical violin, do you change your bow hold when playing trad or just stick to the classical hold all the time?
Im not sure whether changing the bow hold for trad is needed or not, while I do find it a lot easier is it worth it in the long run?
Re: Bow hold for those who play Trad AND Classical?
I use the same bow hold for both, which would be a classical hold as I had classical lessons before I started playing trad. Some alternative bow holds may work alright, I see others which are limiting, for instance holding the bow further up the stick, which leaves you less bow length available, also seems dificult to get as much volume as with a classical hold.
Re: Bow hold for those who play Trad AND Classical?
My wife, who is a classical player only, sometimes holds the bow further up the stick when playing baroque. I play trad 98% of the time and always use the classical hold.
' .... changing the bow hold for trad is needed or not'. No. Do what suits you best.
Re: Bow hold for those who play Trad AND Classical?
Same bow hold. It's the same instrument, why bother changing it up? Some people go to great lengths to alter their technique, and even farther lengths to explain it...never understood that.
I do find, though, if I'm in a crowded space, I will hold the bow farther up the stick to avoid poking my left-hand neighbor in the eye.
Re: Bow hold for those who play Trad AND Classical?
Do you use the little finger of your bow hand to keep balance? I don't and so I hold the bow slightly differently from the classical position - whatever I play. More likely swing than baroque.
Re: Bow hold for those who play Trad AND Classical?
I mostly use the classical bow hold. However, I do find my hand mysteriously slides up the bow a bit when playing
some of the faster ITM and Bluegrass pieces.
Don't know why it doesn't do that when playing some of the faster classical stuff............very mysterious!
(Don't get the wrong impression, I can't play at lightening speed.)
Re: Bow hold for those who play Trad AND Classical?
No need to change it at all. However, I never need to use my little finger to 'balance' the bow in trad, mainly because I never get down as far as the frog.
Re: Bow hold for those who play Trad AND Classical?
You have to change the grip constantly in the course of playing,
depending on what's going on. For example to get more "oomph" into
bowed triplets you may have to tip your hand forward, shifting the
pressure so it's passing more through fingers 1 and 2. You'll have
to do the opposite for a downbow that starts below the balance point.
And now I'll scuttle away, because some of those above know far more
on the subject!
Re: Bow hold for those who play Trad AND Classical?
Hup, the bow hold itself doesn't shift, though, however much you might flex and straighten thumb and fingers or reorient the hand's center of gravity as needed.
Re: Bow hold for those who play Trad AND Classical?
When I was a kid I played only classical, and used that grip. As an adult playing no classical and traditional only, my hand has crept up the bow like I'm choking up on the bat in baseball. Sometimes I'll look down and realize I'm using the thumb and two fingers.
In looking back at the thread topic, I probably haven't should have said anything. Ah, the dangers of posting after a session. (hiccup)
Re: Bow hold for those who play Trad AND Classical?
I know fiddlers that will play with classical bow hold for classical music, but then choke up on the bow for trad. Not a huge amount up from the frog, but enough to be visibly noticeable, I'd say an inch or two. They say it makes it easier to do ornamentation... I don't know exactly how to describe the ornamentation they're talking about, but it's an articulation made with the bow (instead of a roll or something in the left hand). Wow, hope that all made sense...
Bow hold for those who play Trad AND Classical?
Bow hold for those who play Trad AND Classical?
Hi I want to get the views of those among us who are experinced in playing both trad and classical thanks.
Just wondering about those players who play both trad fiddle and classical violin, do you change your bow hold when playing trad or just stick to the classical hold all the time?
Im not sure whether changing the bow hold for trad is needed or not, while I do find it a lot easier is it worth it in the long run?
Thanks
# Posted on October 14th 2008 by Kess
Re: Bow hold for those who play Trad AND Classical?
I use the same bow hold when playing trad or classical, and it's virtually the same bow hold I have for my cello playing.
# Posted on October 14th 2008 by Trevor Jennings
Re: Bow hold for those who play Trad AND Classical?
I use the same bow hold for both, which would be a classical hold as I had classical lessons before I started playing trad. Some alternative bow holds may work alright, I see others which are limiting, for instance holding the bow further up the stick, which leaves you less bow length available, also seems dificult to get as much volume as with a classical hold.
# Posted on October 14th 2008 by cathycook
Re: Bow hold for those who play Trad AND Classical?
I use a Full Nelson, and go for the tap-out.
# Posted on October 14th 2008 by Piece
Re: Bow hold for those who play Trad AND Classical?
My wife, who is a classical player only, sometimes holds the bow further up the stick when playing baroque. I play trad 98% of the time and always use the classical hold.
' .... changing the bow hold for trad is needed or not'. No. Do what suits you best.
# Posted on October 14th 2008 by Henk Bos
Re: Bow hold for those who play Trad AND Classical?
Same bow hold. It's the same instrument, why bother changing it up? Some people go to great lengths to alter their technique, and even farther lengths to explain it...never understood that.
I do find, though, if I'm in a crowded space, I will hold the bow farther up the stick to avoid poking my left-hand neighbor in the eye.
# Posted on October 14th 2008 by meredithrachael
Re: Bow hold for those who play Trad AND Classical?
Do you use the little finger of your bow hand to keep balance? I don't and so I hold the bow slightly differently from the classical position - whatever I play. More likely swing than baroque.
# Posted on October 14th 2008 by kuec
Re: Bow hold for those who play Trad AND Classical?
I mostly use the classical bow hold. However, I do find my hand mysteriously slides up the bow a bit when playing
some of the faster ITM and Bluegrass pieces.
Don't know why it doesn't do that when playing some of the faster classical stuff............very mysterious!
(Don't get the wrong impression, I can't play at lightening speed.)
Mary
# Posted on October 14th 2008 by Antikhntr
Re: Bow hold for those who play Trad AND Classical?
No need to change it at all. However, I never need to use my little finger to 'balance' the bow in trad, mainly because I never get down as far as the frog.
# Posted on October 14th 2008 by ethical blend
Re: Bow hold for those who play Trad AND Classical?
You have to change the grip constantly in the course of playing,
depending on what's going on. For example to get more "oomph" into
bowed triplets you may have to tip your hand forward, shifting the
pressure so it's passing more through fingers 1 and 2. You'll have
to do the opposite for a downbow that starts below the balance point.
And now I'll scuttle away, because some of those above know far more
on the subject!
# Posted on October 15th 2008 by Hup
Re: Bow hold for those who play Trad AND Classical?
Hup, the bow hold itself doesn't shift, though, however much you might flex and straighten thumb and fingers or reorient the hand's center of gravity as needed.
# Posted on October 15th 2008 by Will Harmon
Re: Bow hold for those who play Trad AND Classical?
When I was a kid I played only classical, and used that grip. As an adult playing no classical and traditional only, my hand has crept up the bow like I'm choking up on the bat in baseball. Sometimes I'll look down and realize I'm using the thumb and two fingers.
In looking back at the thread topic, I probably haven't should have said anything. Ah, the dangers of posting after a session. (hiccup)
# Posted on October 15th 2008 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Bow hold for those who play Trad AND Classical?
I know fiddlers that will play with classical bow hold for classical music, but then choke up on the bow for trad. Not a huge amount up from the frog, but enough to be visibly noticeable, I'd say an inch or two. They say it makes it easier to do ornamentation... I don't know exactly how to describe the ornamentation they're talking about, but it's an articulation made with the bow (instead of a roll or something in the left hand). Wow, hope that all made sense...
# Posted on October 19th 2008 by ingridrt