strathspey@strathspey.org:1340

Ned T. Dairiki

Re: Fiddle Technique and SCD Music

March 17, 1995, 8:15 a.m. (Message 1340, in reply to message 1333)

With respect to the importance of bow (or right hand) technique, I have 
regularly heard and also believe that good bow technique is often more impt
than left hand technique.  In phrasing, playing snaps and 'shivers', and 
playing at dance tempos; good bowing ability is an enviable asset.

Alisdair Fraser has commented that one should have the ability to play a tune
or a phrase interchangably with a mix of bowings (e.g. starting either w/an
upbow or down bow into any particular bar of a tune, for instance).  To me,
that means not so much that bowing doesn't matter but that a fiddler should
eventually have the facility to bow well enough to not be bound by strictures
of how any particular tune might best be bowed.

ned dairiki, berkeley,ca