| I used to use the Streicher bow technique. Then I went and studied with a teacher who taught a very traditional old school technique, and he just about flipped when he checked out my bowing. The Streicher technique uses the pinky finger under the frog to sort of pivot the bow to cross strings. It's pretty difficult to explain without showing in person, but if you'd like I can take a few pictures and post them. I think it's a good technique for solo playing and the like, but for orchesta work i don't know that it's all that great. The biggest objection seems to be that the technique leads to bowing with less than the full width of bow hair on the string, and therefore less tone. I'm not sure this is valid if the technique is fully developed, but for most players it probably is. I'd say it's worth learning and practicing just for the experience and variety, but I don't think I'd recomend an entire switch-over unless you're very familiar with the technique and a very advanced player. Oh, and you had a teacher who teaches it. | 
