Paula Verdicchio Ailshie

I am constantly reminded to really be aware of my body when playing. It is essential to healthy playing. Incresing your physical awareness not only helps prevent tension and subsequent injuries, it opens up the sense of touch while playing to a deeper level.

An article called The Shaking Bow posted by <!– hr noshade — — — — — — — style=”font-size:78%;color:#116798;”&gt;Jennifer Bogart says,

The key essentials of good tone are as always, optimum arm weight, bow speed and placement between the bridge and fingerboard. In general when one is bouncing off the string, the armweight is being taken out of the string by an involuntary tightening of the bow hand fingers. The “monster hand” as I tell my students. In addition, because of the tightening of the hand, the elbow can become locked so that the bow is shortened. These are ideal conditions for staccato (firm hand and little bow). The problem is that in fixing it one can keep a tight hand and start bearing down on the strings, making the forced tone (bow pressure as opposed to arm weight).

Probably almost everyone has experienced this at one time or another. Instead of being frustrated or feeling anxious about it, DO SOMETHING! Go to this article and employ the techniques Jennifer talks about in your practice at home.

Always be aware of your physical body and its signals.

Click Here to Read the Entire Article
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