We usually divide bow strokes into two categories, namely ON-string and OFF-string.
| ON-string Bow strokes: Detaché Martelé Staccato | OFF-string Bow strokes: Spiccato Sautillé Ricochet | Others: Double Stops and ChordsString CrossingBow Division |
Detaché
Characteristics:
- Even bow speed and pressure
- Strokes are connected seamlessly
- Without a break
Example: Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, op. 26, 2nd movement, m. 11
Martelé
Characteristics:
- With a bite
- Pause after each stroke
- Heavy to light bow pressure
- Fast to slow bow speed
Example:
Lalo: Symphonie Espagnole, op. 21, 1st movement, m. 66
Staccato
Characteristics:
- Very light
- On string
- Stop the bow
Example:
Sarasate: Zigeunerweisen, Op. 20, No. 1, m. 23
Spiccato
Characteristics:
- Slow to moderate speed
- Bouncing stroke
- Controlling by dropping and rebounding the bow
- Vertical and Horizontal components
- Middle to the upper part of the bow
Example:
Beethoven: Sonata in G, Op. 30, No. 3, 1st movement, m. 1
Sautillé
Characteristics:
- Measured bow stroke
- Perform from the string
- Bouncing is achieved between the weight of the bow hand and the speed of the repeated bow stroke
- Only happens at rapid tempos
Example:
Saint-Saens: Violin Concerto No. 3, in B minor, Op. 61, 3rd movement, m. 78
Ricochet
Characteristics:
- Played in the upper half
- A series of two or more slurred and very fast bounces
- Usually start down bow
Example:
Paganini: La Campanella, Op. 7, m. 10
