Some years ago I could see a scotish fiddler doing someting I havent seen before. when he was playing he turned the bow making it jump by hiting the strings with the stick. It sound like a fast bowing triplet or someting like this. Can anyone tell me something about this technic?
this is the first discussion i summit. I was just sitting at the bar enjoying the session. Nice to meet you.
In classical music scores it's called "col legno" ("with the wood"). It occurs sometimes in orchestral music if the composer wants a particular sound effect - e.g. skeletons dancing in the Danse Macabre. Some professional classical players aren't too keen on using it, especially as they're likely to be using bows valued a few K$/£ - but that's composers for you!
When I am required to do it in my orchestral cello playing, because I've got a fairly expensive cello bow, I fake the technique by angling the stick so that most contact is with the hairs and with only a light touch on the strings with the stick itself. I'm quite happy to leave full stick contact to those players with less expensive bows!
Leaving aside the question of damage to the wood of the bow, I'm inclined to think that using this technique a lot may wear out the strings a bit quicker by damaging the winding (and, BTW, cello strings aren't cheap). As with all things, it's ultimately up to the player him/herself, but don't overdo it and bear in mind that because you've got to change the bow hold slightly there's the possibility that you could mess up the timing (in a fast reel or jig)because of that change, if you're not careful.
Trevor
Ah, one of the joys of owning a carbon fiber Coda bow, I don't worry about nicking the bow when I play this way. (I remember my horror the first time I saw the chips in my wooden bow's finish, after playing a piece in high school...)
re: damaging the strings - I'm skeptical, but obviously the advice "don't overdo it" is good. Better safe than sorry.
Aside from that, exploring every possible way to make your instrument create sound is just part of the fun along the way to mastery...
Highland! Aren't Coda bows the best? You can drop them in a threshing machine and they come out intact. Perfect for sessions and if you play in rowdy places.
bowing with the stick
bowing with the stick
Some years ago I could see a scotish fiddler doing someting I havent seen before. when he was playing he turned the bow making it jump by hiting the strings with the stick. It sound like a fast bowing triplet or someting like this. Can anyone tell me something about this technic?
this is the first discussion i summit. I was just sitting at the bar enjoying the session. Nice to meet you.
# Posted on March 30th 2004 by fer
Re: bowing with the stick
In classical music scores it's called "col legno" ("with the wood"). It occurs sometimes in orchestral music if the composer wants a particular sound effect - e.g. skeletons dancing in the Danse Macabre. Some professional classical players aren't too keen on using it, especially as they're likely to be using bows valued a few K$/£ - but that's composers for you!
When I am required to do it in my orchestral cello playing, because I've got a fairly expensive cello bow, I fake the technique by angling the stick so that most contact is with the hairs and with only a light touch on the strings with the stick itself. I'm quite happy to leave full stick contact to those players with less expensive bows!
Leaving aside the question of damage to the wood of the bow, I'm inclined to think that using this technique a lot may wear out the strings a bit quicker by damaging the winding (and, BTW, cello strings aren't cheap). As with all things, it's ultimately up to the player him/herself, but don't overdo it and bear in mind that because you've got to change the bow hold slightly there's the possibility that you could mess up the timing (in a fast reel or jig)because of that change, if you're not careful.
Trevor
# Posted on March 30th 2004 by Trevor Jennings
Re: bowing with the stick
Ah, one of the joys of owning a carbon fiber Coda bow, I don't worry about nicking the bow when I play this way. (I remember my horror the first time I saw the chips in my wooden bow's finish, after playing a piece in high school...)
re: damaging the strings - I'm skeptical, but obviously the advice "don't overdo it" is good. Better safe than sorry.
Aside from that, exploring every possible way to make your instrument create sound is just part of the fun along the way to mastery...
# Posted on March 30th 2004 by HighlandSun
Re: bowing with the stick
Highland! Aren't Coda bows the best? You can drop them in a threshing machine and they come out intact. Perfect for sessions and if you play in rowdy places.
Johnathan
# Posted on March 31st 2004 by Harper_Lad
Re: bowing with the stick
Johnathon, I'll take your word for it re: the threshing machine!
Yeah, this bow has survived a lot of abuse and it still feels the same as when it was new. I love it.
# Posted on March 31st 2004 by HighlandSun