Workshops

 
The slur two, bow two pattern
 
 


Many fiddle tunes and bluegrass fiddle parts contain long groups of eighth notes. One commonly used bowing for playing passages with lots of eighth notes is this one, which I call “slur two, bow two.”

The first two notes of each group of four are played with one single bow stroke (i.e., the bow doesn't change direction for the second note.)

Each group of four notes starts with a long bow (to cover two notes) and is the opposite direction from the preceding long bow.

Practice this pattern frequently to accustom your mind and body to the sound and feel of it. When you are comfortable with it, transpose the pattern to another key and work on it in that key as well.

 
     

Workshops