Measurement of the bowing parameters in violin playing. II: Bow–bridge distance, dynamic range, and limits of bow force

Abstract

A method is described that allows measurement of the bowing parameters in violin playing under normal conditions. The measured parameters include bow position, bow velocity, bow–bridge distance, and bow force. The use of the method is illustrated by registrations of typical bowing patterns (sustained notes, scales, crescendo–diminuendo, sforzando, and saltellato). The examples are analyzed with a focus on the players’ use of the bow–bridge distance and bow velocity in controlling the dynamic level. The correspondence between predicted and observed changes in the dynamic level is discussed, as well as the safety margins in bow force. The measurement method is a development of equipment earlier described [A. Askenfelt, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 80. 1007–1015 (1986)].