String Pedagogy for Non-String Players
Evan M. Feldman, Ari Contzius · 2020
Playing a bowed string instrument requires mastery of two distinct sets of skills in the left and right hands. There is a sizable assortment of pedagogical aids available for developing left and right-hand skills on string instruments. Tuning orchestral string instruments can be time-consuming, and it may be tempting to settle for “close enough for now.” Three interconnected factors affect sound production: The speed at which the bow is traveling; the weight of the bow/arm; and the contact point of the bow on the string—or in which lane it is traveling. Bowings—in addition to direction—may also vary in style or articulation. When purchasing a music stand or a saxophone it is often enough to list the brand and model number on the bid sheet. The challenge with stringed instruments, however, is that they are made out of wood, utilizing many individual components that come from sources from all around the world—each of potentially varied quality.