Sometimes at the end of a phrase, you finish on a down bow, but the next phrase also begins on a down bow. So how do you get back to the heel of the bow without awkwardly stopping or reversing direction? This is where bow retakes come in.
What Is a Bow Retake?
A bow retake simply means lifting the bow and circling it back to the starting point, usually the heel, so that you’re ready for another down bow. Rather than stopping and dragging the bow back, we use a smooth, circular motion in the air.
You can think of it as a bow circle. After finishing your down bow, lift the bow gently, make an anticlockwise circle, and return to the heel. From there, you can begin your next down bow with a fresh, confident stroke.
Big Circles and Small Circles
Depending on where you finish, your retake might be:
Try both. The principle is the same. What matters most is keeping the motion free and fluid, allowing your arm to move naturally through the arc.
Keeping the Bow Secure
One common challenge during bow retakes is keeping the bow steady in your hand. Your fingers and knuckles must stay firm but flexible, not floppy.
This ensures that when the bow lands back on the string, it does so with control. No slipping, wobbling, or unwanted bounce.
Clean, Confident Starts
When your fingers are firm and your arm motion is clear, the bow naturally returns to the heel ready for the next phrase. You’ll hear a clean, consonant beginning to your down bow, the kind of tidy, professional sound that makes phrasing flow seamlessly.
Keep practising your circles slowly at first, paying attention to both the shape and the control in your hand. Before long, you’ll be able to make bow retakes effortlessly, even in the middle of a performance.
What Is a Bow Retake?
A bow retake simply means lifting the bow and circling it back to the starting point, usually the heel, so that you’re ready for another down bow. Rather than stopping and dragging the bow back, we use a smooth, circular motion in the air.
You can think of it as a bow circle. After finishing your down bow, lift the bow gently, make an anticlockwise circle, and return to the heel. From there, you can begin your next down bow with a fresh, confident stroke.
Big Circles and Small Circles
Depending on where you finish, your retake might be:
- A big circle, when you’ve ended near the tip and need to travel further, or
- A small circle, when you’ve finished closer to the middle of the bow.
Try both. The principle is the same. What matters most is keeping the motion free and fluid, allowing your arm to move naturally through the arc.
Keeping the Bow Secure
One common challenge during bow retakes is keeping the bow steady in your hand. Your fingers and knuckles must stay firm but flexible, not floppy.
- The first finger pulls gently against the stick, helping to control the bow’s position.
- The pinky finger supports the opposite side, counterbalancing the weight.
- The wrist stays relaxed while the bow remains secure.
This ensures that when the bow lands back on the string, it does so with control. No slipping, wobbling, or unwanted bounce.
Clean, Confident Starts
When your fingers are firm and your arm motion is clear, the bow naturally returns to the heel ready for the next phrase. You’ll hear a clean, consonant beginning to your down bow, the kind of tidy, professional sound that makes phrasing flow seamlessly.
Keep practising your circles slowly at first, paying attention to both the shape and the control in your hand. Before long, you’ll be able to make bow retakes effortlessly, even in the middle of a performance.