Bowing Terms

Question 1

up bow – V –

Answer 1

moving tip to frog

Question 2

down bow – Π -

Answer 2

moving frog to tip

Question 3

détaché –

Answer 3

a primarily connected bow stroke with distinct,
separate bows

Question 4

Orchestra

slur –

Answer 4

connecting more than one note per bow without
stopping

Question 5

orchestra

staccato –

Answer 5

short, stopped strokes with the bow
remaining on the string

Question 6

spiccato –

Answer 6

stroke with the bow bouncing off the string

Question 7

portato –

Answer 7

slightly enunciate each note within a slur using bow weight and speed

Question 8

arco –

Answer 8

with the bow

Question 9

pizzicato –

Answer 9

plucked

Question 10

martelé –

Answer 10

hammered; heavily accented staccato

Question 11

tremolo –

Answer 11

an effect produced by rapidly alternating
down and up bows

Question 12

staccato volant –

Answer 12

linked spiccato notes in the same direction

Question 13

ricochet –

Answer 13

thrown/rebound stroke usually in groups of 2 or 3

Question 14

flautando –

Answer 14

flute-like bowing played near the fingerboard

Question 15

col legno –

Answer 15

the effect produced by striking the string with the stick

Question 16

sul ponticello –

Answer 16

an icy, whistling effect produced by purposely playing too close to the bridge

Question 17

alto clef –

Answer 17

used for viola and trombone to avoid excessive ledger lines: middle C is the center line Β

Question 18

tenor clef –

Answer 18

used for cello, trombone, bassoon and double bass: middle C is the fourth line from the bottom Β

Question 19

vibrato –

Answer 19

slight variation of pitch by left hand motion used to add warmth