FILM #8: EXTENDING THE BOW STROKE (book chapter 9)
OVERVIEW: In Part I, grade school students demonstrate the playing of short strokes at the tip and at the frog. Bow transfers are practiced under teaching supervision. In Part II, grade school, high school and college students demonstrate the playing of long bow strokes in groups and individually. Freedom of movement, flexibility and total body action are emphasized, demonstrated and explained. Part of the Vivaldi G Major Concerto is performed by a college group.Part I
1. Playing short strokes at the tip and at the frog; silent bow exercises at various parts of the bow: lift and place the bow; tap the right pinky and first finger; rolling and rocking the bow
2. Bow rhythms at various parts of the bow; students bow their name rhythms; string crossing patterns in both directions; the octave game at various parts of the bow
Part II3. Long bow strokes; swinging to the pulse of the music to acquire free flowing movements; shifting body weight from one foot to the other to counterbalance long bowing movements; avoiding locked knees and ankles
4. Exercises for free movements; short strokes; playing and lifting; gradually lengthening to long strokes
5. Bow angle and pressure changes at the frog and at the tip; playing two and four note groups; lifting the bow and placing it at any part of the bow; follow-through movements;
free and bold strokes demonstrated by advanced students in a fragment of a
Vivaldi concerto