Taking Your Violin Bowing Technique To The Next Level [Exclusive!]

Spicing up your bowing technique is the most fun and thrilling part of being a violinist. The long hours of practice, correct bowing, until you finally get used to the right technique are the most fulfilling part of the process.

There are a lot of bowing techniques you can do on your violin bow but we will focus on the most essential ones that can spice up the way you play. These are the sun ponticello, sul tasto, col legno, and ricochet. These said techniques have leveled up different violinists in their playing field which you can use as well to get you to the next level.

Sun Ponticello 

Moving the bow down to level with the bridge or to be right above the bridge means the Sun Ponticello. You may notice that when you execute this technique, the sound is totally different than the usual. It vibrates nicely, aiming for a higher pitch. It almost sounds like you are in some sort of horror movie. Thus, the haunting sound. You can control the volume of the sound by adjusting the pressure. 

Sul Tasto 

On the other hand, aligning your hand to the opposite side of the fingerboard creates the Sul Tasto. To achieve a serene, subtle, and rich sound, you may use this technique. This is commonly used on ethereal scenes, given the lower harmonics. Sul Tasto is the complete opposite of Sun Ponticello. 

Col legno 

The Col Legno is the Italian term for “with wood.” It is a unique bowing technique that literally means to play with wood. How do you do it? Turn your bow upside down and play using the wood or the side of the bow. 

There are different styles on how to play Col Legno. Like when doing long bowing, it is called “tratto.” Another style is similar to a percussion called “batuto.” 

Ricochet 

Similar to the percussion technique of Col Legno is another bowing style called Ricochet. It is also known as “jete.” In executing the Ricochet, you bounce the bow as it moves in a single path intentionally. You may notice that the upper part of the bow bounces more quickly while the middle part is slower. This is because of the physics part of the violin. One tip in doing the Ricochet is that the bow hair must be laid out completely flat. 

Conclusion 

If you have come to leveling up your bowing moves, then congratulations! You have come so far. From learning the basics, practicing, and sometimes failing, your journey is worth every hardship. And now that you have arrived in the advance part, we are glad to be with you every step of the way. 

These bowing techniques will deepen your commitment and passion for playing the violin. It can be difficult in some parts, but hey! Practice makes perfect. We hope that with these bowing techniques you can take your violin bowing to the next level. 

Visit https://fiddlershop.com/collections/violin-bows to learn more!