Stuck in a scale rut? Join me for a whole month’s worth of 31 different ways to approach scales. New posts go up every day in January 2023. Start from Day 1 here.
The focus of today’s scale just might take the prize for “The Most-Overlooked Yet Most-Used Violin Technique” – playing at the tip of the bow. What else do we make use of constantly ... yet give so little attention to? Sure, pizzicato almost never gets attention (see Day 19), and we also don’t use it that often. But there’s no good violinist who doesn’t use the tip all the time.
So today, scales become a vehicle for righting this injustice. (That last sentence typed with appropriately mock-heroic flair.)
The Details
I tried this one a few different ways – some harder than others. For all of them, make sure you only go as far as you can keep the bow straight (a mirror is helpful). Depending on how long your arms are and how far to the side you hold your violin, that might be several inches away from the end of the hair. And that’s fine.
From easier to harder:
Use the entire upper half. Focus on how (and when) your upper arm moves as part of moving the bow. Remember that the muscles involved are in your upper torso (chest and back).
Use the entire upper half. Since you need to add the most weight when you’re at the tip, focus on how you’re doing it. Using only the index finger is a great way to develop tendinitis over time. To avoid that, be sure to use forearm rotation to support the index finger.
Use just the last 3-4 inches of bow. Focus on how (and when) your upper arm moves as part of moving the bow. Remember that the muscles involved are in your upper torso (chest and back).
Use just the last 3-4 inches of bow. Since you need to add the most weight when you’re at the tip, focus on how you’re doing it. Using only the index finger is a great way to develop tendinitis over time. To avoid that, be sure to use forearm rotation to support the index finger.
If you’ve tried today’s scales, I’d love to know what your experience was like! Just post a comment below.
tomorrow:
I’m a violinist and private teacher in the Chicago area, and in a previous musical life I was in a professional string quartet. Teaching violin and chamber music are dear to my heart. Send me a note or leave a comment on a post — I’d love to hear from you.
If you’ve tried today’s scales, I’d love to know what your experience was like! Just post a comment below.