Posted on May 20, 2008 by Susan Leitmann in Bow Strokes (legato - spiccato - etc.) - Bow Hold/Bow Arm
The idea is to use your body movement to keep the bow arm loose and flowing. This is especially useful for bow changes on a legato bow stroke. I had previously done this by simply moving my body in the opposite direction from the bow, but Mr. Peled took it a step further by moving the body against the bow for about 3/4 length of the bow, but then moving with the bow right before the bow change. This does indeed seem to be more successful, though it is a coordination challenge at first. By moving the body, the arm has to do much less work, or at least that is the sensation that it gives. It also loosens up the hips and torso nicely. Have your students try this on scales first, so that they can master the coordination before applying it to a piece.