Three Styles of Bowing (Week 1)

 

Level:        Book One

 

Purpose:   To learn about three bowing styles -  Martelé,  Détaché,  and  Slow.

 

Notes:       This lesson works well when spread out over three or four classes.

       Suggestions for the teacher’s verbal presentation are in italics.

       Definitions of the bow strokes are included so that the goal of the activities is clear.

 

Set-up:     (1) Play through Allegro from Suzuki Volume One

                  (2) "There are three styles of bowing in this piece:

- Martelé 

- Détaché

- Slow”

       (3) Give a brief demonstration of each.

       (4) "We are going to add style to Allegro by learning to do these bow strokes."

 

 

Activities:  Week One - Martelé

In Martelé, each stroke begins with a burst of speed and then comes to a stop. Weight is applied to the string before the beginning of the stroke and released as the bow begins to move, giving each note a crisp attack.

 

(1)   Run, then Wait

• Place the instruments in a safe place

• Have students gather at one side of the room

• “When I say GO run quickly to the other side of the room, then wait

On your mark, get set - GO!

• When I say GO run back, then wait

On your mark, get set - GO!”

 

(2)   Fast Hands

• Have students place their right hand on their head

• “When I say GO bring your hand to your knee fast as you can

On your mark, get set - GO!”

• “When I say GO bring your hand to your head as fast as you can

            (Don’t hit yourself, land gently)

On your mark, get set - GO!”

 

(3)   Martelé on the Violin

• Have students place their bows on the E string, in the middle

• “Sink in and grab the string with the bow hair

When I say GO

Release your hold on the string as you move quickly to the tip

Then wait – It will sound like Ping or Pow

On your mark, get set - GO!”

• “Sink in and grab the string with the bow hair

When I say GO

Release your hold on the string as you move quickly back to the middle

On your mark, get set - GO!”

 

(4)   Pass the Martelé

• Take turns playing the martelé stroke

• Work for a crisp, fast stroke and listen for the ‘Ping’

The most common problems are: not releasing the weight when the bow starts to move; and moving the bow before applying weight.

 

(5)   Twinkle, Variation B

• Play together, listening for space after each note

 

(6)   The Martelé Bow Stroke in Allegro

• Have students play the martelé (the quarter notes in the 1st, 2nd & 4th phrases), while you play everything else