Tone Production
Rebecca B. MacLeod · 2018
A beautiful tone is at the center of good instrumental music instruction. Achieving a beautiful tone on a string instrument requires a flexible and balanced bow hold, the proper arm motion to produce a bow stroke that moves parallel to the bridge and an understanding of the three variables that impact tone production: bow speed, bow weight, and contact point. Originally resin from pine or maple trees, rosin is a sticky substance that is applied to the bow hair so that the hair may grip the string. A proper bow motion has balanced, flexible bow hold; moves parallel to the bridge; and remains halfway between the fingerboard and the bridge. Bow placement describes the placement of the bow on the string in relation to the frog or tip. Bow distribution is expressed as “spending,” using more bow, or “saving,” using less bow.