Variation 20

#upbowspiccato #downbowspiccato #spiccato

            This variation draws upon techniques developed in variation 15 and 1, notably the grouping of articulated off the string notes within a slur. Every stroke, aside from the one slurred grouping in the last measure, is to be played off the string with a bouncing bow near the middle of the bow. This is the first instance so far in the variations of a down-bow ricochet type bowing.

            Allow gravity and a dropping of the stick toward the string to engage the bouncing bow for the first two beats. Rather than trying to control each articulation within the first two beats, direct your attention to simply changing direction. It is akin to skipping rocks. Once the rock leaves your hand you cannot control the skips along the surface of the water.

            Remember in the scale passages to adjust the contact point toward the bridge as the scales ascend, and back toward the fingerboard as the scales descend.