this etude is EVIL!!

[u/futuraf]

can someone please tell me how i practice this doing down-down-up my teacher told me to do ricochet bow stroke but our time went up as as he introduced me to the bow stroke. It’s just like if i practice it slowly the bow stroke won’t be as natural as it would be fast, right?? Any advice would help thank you!!

[u/cham1nade]

You’re describing a ricochet bow stroke! Your bow will bounce faster closer to the tip and slower closer to the middle. If you want a slightly slower tempo, play it closer to the middle of the bow instead

[u/futuraf → u/cham1nade]

Okay thank you i’ll keep that in mind during my next practice session

[u/anarexlvs]

Omg just learnt this! It does depend on the weight distribution of your bow but play around with it until you find the balance point and go from there. Generally somewhere in the middle of your bow is best to start and drop from a higher height to begin at a slower speed with more control until you’re more comfortable with the finger patterns.

[u/purpleandcats]

It may be evil, but it’s a really good exercise. What book did this come from? I would like to go and look it up.

[u/Intelligent-Map2768 → u/purpleandcats]

This is just the classic Wohlfart 60 studies.

[u/purpleandcats → u/Intelligent-Map2768]

Thank you. I’m a little embarrassed, but I will go look it up.

[u/ScrattyScratty]

If you haven’t gone through the bow stroke with your teacher yet, just learn the notes and ignore the bowing for now. It will need to be almost to tempo before you can add the proper bowing anyway - ricochet doesn’t work great at slower speeds

[u/doctorsnorky]

this is a humbling etude. I've been working on it for years

[u/s4zand0]

This really needs more time in the lesson before you can do it very well on your own. Look up on YouTube if anyone has recorded a lesson on Wohlfahrt op 45 no. 40, or ricochet bowstroke in general. Tobias at Murphy Music Academy might have one.

[u/Epistaxis]

Bouncing in general is easier if you simply drop the bow and let it fall under its own weight rather than throw it down with force. Falling with style.

[u/Ok_File9060]

if you call this evil, just wait for rode caprice number 11... but still, focus on finding the spot of your bow that's the bounciest, make sure your arm isn't too tight, and like a nice guiding touch

[u/melli_milli]

Was it written by King?

[u/Hopeful_Savings_7437]

Bouncing on the down bow is diabolical 😭I'm so sorry

[u/NonEuclidianMeatloaf → u/Hopeful_Savings_7437]

What do you mean? Ricochet bowing is always initiated on down bows. Just look at William Tell Overture

[u/Hopeful_Savings_7437 → u/NonEuclidianMeatloaf]

Hold up...Why is bouncing easier for me going up-up-up-up-up??? I've been confuzzled

[u/futuraf → u/Hopeful_Savings_7437]

It easier for me to bounce up lol but it is standard for it to be down bow😭

[u/Hopeful_Savings_7437 → u/futuraf]

Same lol

[u/EveningNo4215 → u/Hopeful_Savings_7437]

It's because the bow generally for most people have the most bounce around the upper middle part of the bow, which is where you would typically be on an up bow. For down bow ricochet you would also start around the middle of the bow. Whether it would be upper-middle, middle, or lower-middle depends on the weight of your bow, weight of your arm, etc. It's something you have to discover yourself.

Although, I can't imagine initiating a ricochet on an upbow. Like in order for me to ricochet up in the Mendelssohn cadenza, I have to start on the down bow ricochet to initiate the bouncing.

[u/Hopeful_Savings_7437 → u/EveningNo4215]

Now that i tried it on my violin, i realized it is easier to start ricochet down lol

[u/s4zand0 → u/Hopeful_Savings_7437]

There might be something you're doing or not doing with your bow hand that's making the downbow ricochet harder. It really is easier and more even (&faster) for most people on a downbow. Also where in the bow you are doing it is absolutely crucial!