Measurement of the bowing parameters in violin playing

Abstract

A method is presented that allows the measurement of the bowing parameters in violin playing, without interfering with normal playing conditions. The measured parameters include the force between bow and string (“bow pressure”), the position of a contact point between bow and string along the bow (“bow position”), and the distance between the contact point and the bridge (“bow-bridge distance”). Typical registrations for a sample of bowing patterns will be presented, and the violinist's use of the bowing parameters in controlling the dynamic level will be discussed.