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Lour
Definition: Dance of slow or moderate tempo in triple or compound duple meter
1. Performer must feel the accent on alternating up and down bows
2. Slow tempos does not mean slow bows
3. Smooth dancing does not necessarily mean smooth bow
4. Performer must be as expressive as a dancer would be
5. Players must think light and lifted
Slurred Staccato
Definition: Notes that are gently rearticulated with the same, continuous bow stroke
1. Defined stop at the end of the first note (s)
2. Defined start at the beginning of the next note(s)
3. Dont use too much bow at one time and run out of space
4. Proper pressure must be used to get the proper dynamic at a slower bow speed
5. A slight increase on the weight of the bow when articulating
Retake
Definition: Moving of the bow back to the original position that it was played, most often
tip to frog
1. Lifted straight off the bow
2. Smooth motion that does not look panicked
3. Player may breathe during the retake
4. Bow must be placed on the strings so that it does not make sound until the player
wants
5. Player must be aware that they might put too much weight when coming back down
onto the strings
Hooked Bow
Definition: playing a dotted rhythm with both notes on the same stroke and the first note
is shortened
1. Think of a 16th or 32nd note rest between the two notes
2. Defined pause in the sound
3. The idea of Coll needs to be implemented
4. Start of the next note must be made with intension and slightly extra weight
5. Think of them as pick ups
Slur
Definition: Notes being played under the same bow stroke without stopping the bow
1. Fingers and bow are independent of each other
2. Bow must be at a pace so that all the notes are played before running out of bow
3. The weight must be appropriate for the given dynamic and necessary bow speed
4. Smooth bow speed throughout
5. Hands are not working together at all
Tremolo
Definition: Rapidly moving the bow back and forth to rearticulate the same note
1. Primarily a wrist movement
2. Less tension within the hand the better
3. Do not move the instrument
4. Keep consistent weight on bow
5. Small bow strokes
Sul Tasto
Definition: Playing right over the finger board of the instrument
1. Useful for a soft color
2. If a part needs to be extremely quiet this is ideal
3. This is one of the lanes that children can use
4. Do not expect a great volume for this technique
5. Do not push too much onto the strings
Ponticello
Definition: Bow kept near the bridge to bring out higher harmonics
1. Useful for producing a scarier tone
2. Light bow use produces different harmonics than hard bow use
3. Pairs well with tremolos
4. A separate lane that can be defined for use
5. Can be used to refine bow pressure
Coll
Definition: French word for Glue
1. The technique to have the bow stick to the strings
2. Bow is moving through a Molasses
3. Paired with weight on the bow
4. Stark difference than having the bow bounce along the strings
5. Useful for defining legato
String Crossings
Definition: Changing strings through a phrase
1. Right hand must memorize what each string angle feels like
2. Left hand must be able to switch between strings as easily as shifting
3. There are not only the positions for each string but also for the double stops
4. Smooth motion in between them but also lock into place each time
5. Angles feel different between the frog on the string and the tip
Hand Frames
Definition: Positions that the hand can be in to play different note intervals on
instruments
1. These positions must be well defined
2. Violins and Violas can be put in the idea of different fingers having buddies for hand
frames
3. Cello must keep even spacing between fingers for default hand frames
4. Extensions for all instruments take time to build and should be treated carefully so that
the hand is not strained
5. Bases must remember not to use their third finger
Shifting
Definition: Different positions on the fingerboard for the hand to be placed and play
different notes with the same hand frames
1. Muscle memory takes time but is necessary so that the children can memorize the
feeling
2. Left hand must move quickly when shifting
3. Hand moves straight along the finger board and does not shift the instrument in any
direction
4. The angle from the wrist to the fingers remains the same
5. Less tension the better
Tone Production
Definition: Placing of the bow on the strings with a movement to create a desired sound
1. Bow weight varies with each instrument but the thicker the string the heavier the bow
weight for a default sound
2. The bow hairs are not flat on the strings
3. Different weights on the strings each end of the bow
4. Staying within the proper lanes when playing is vital for consistent tone
5. Vibrato can be used to embellish but must be done in a manor that does not impede on
the original tone
Dynamics
Definition: Different volumes to play at
1. Bow speed can change the dynamics
2. Bow weight can change the dynamics
3. Bow placement (Lanes) can vary the dynamics
4. Student must be able to take into account each variable independently so that they can
have greater control of dynamics
5. Dynamics often change when playing a slurred/quick passage and it will take time to
fix these issues
Phrasing
Definition: A musical sentence
1. Stringed instruments must still feel a breath when playing to create phrases
2. Retakes are valuable resources for creating phrases
3. Students can tell a story and create phrases as the story progresses
4. Students may have a tendency to play through multiple phrases without a pause
because they do not need a literal breath
5. Students can sing through phrases to find natural breaths
Vibrato
Definition: A rapid slight variation of pitch
1. Relaxed feel in left hand
2. Bow movement must be smooth and consistent
3. Primarily finger movement for violins and violas
4. Primarily wrist movement for cellos and basses
5. Instrument cannot shake when executing (steady against wall for violins and violas)
Five Elective Topics
1st Elective Topic. Lanes
Definition: The specified different areas between the fingerboard and the bridge that can
be played on
1. Nearest the bridge
2. Slightly distanced from the bridge
3. Exactly in between the bridge
4. Slightly distanced from the beginning of the fingerboard
5. On top of the end of the fingerboard