Cello Intermediate 31: Ricochet Bow Stroke
In this video lesson, we are going to be discussing the ricochet bow stroke on the cello.
Ricochet is a stroke where we throw the bow onto the string and let it rebound to produce a series of rapid staccato notes in the same bow direction. You will encounter this stroke often in orchestral music, such as the famous gallop from Rossini's William Tell Overture, as well as in lively solo pieces.
Finding the sweet spot on the stick
If you try to drop the bow too close to the frog, the stick feels heavy and sluggish, and nothing really bounces. If you move out slightly towards the middle of the bow, you will find the area of least resistance where the wood springs naturally off the string on its own.
The "V" drop and draw motion
Building on our off the string staccato lessons, you can think of the motion as a crisp "V" shape:
- Bring the bow up into the air.
- Throw it down onto the string with controlled momentum.
- As the hair makes contact and rebounds, move your hand out to the right along the down-bow path.
A helpful tip: tighten your bow screw by just one extra notch. Adding a touch more tension gives the stick that extra springiness, making ricochet much easier to initiate.
Controlling the number of bounces
It takes a little time to master how high to lift your hand and how much energy to impart on the drop. A great way to build control is to count the bounces. Drop the bow for 4 ricochet notes on a down-bow, followed by a single clean up-bow. Try 5 ricochet notes on a down-bow, followed by an up-bow. As you speed up the stroke, you will notice that the bounces become crisper, tighter, and much more rhythmic.
Relaxing the right arm for clear resonance
Because you are throwing the bow down, it is very common to feel like you need to brace or grip the stick tightly. However, clenching your right arm chokes the cello's vibration. Once you have the feel of the "V" motion, consciously soften and relax the arm muscles. Releasing that tension allows the wood of the cello to ring, giving your ricochet a full, resonant finish.
Practising this stroke on your everyday scales is a fun way to warm up your right arm. If you would like a dedicated piece to work on, try my piece "Fandango" from It's a Cello Thing, Book 2 (published by Boosey & Hawkes), which was written specifically to practise this energetic stroke.