/ Register

Tremolo help...

Discussion in 'Orchestral Technique [DB]' started by Shelly Renzelman, Dec 3, 2005.

  1. Dec 3, 2005 #1
    Shelly Renzelman

    Shelly Renzelman

    Oct 14, 2005
    Lewiston, Idaho
    OK, so I feel really stupid for asking this, since I'm sure that my professor taught this to me when I was an undergrad a million years ago and I just can't seem to extract it from my brain :confused: , but here goes:

    I am playing in the orchestra for the local production of Wizard of Oz and it is one tremolo after another. Can someone please explain to me the technique for playing unmeasured tremolos? What I am looking for is what part of the bow is it played in? When you bow it, is it a wrist movement or an arm movement? and if an arm movement, from the elbow or the shoulder? Anything else that I should know (remember) about this technique?

    Thanks a million!

    Shelly :)
     
  2. Dec 3, 2005 #2
    PaulCannon

    PaulCannon

    Jan 24, 2002
    Frankfurt, Germany
    NS Design / AER Endorsing Artist
    The dynamic determines what part of the bow you use. The louder it is, the closer to the frog. If it's really soft, you'll be able to just use your wrist and play at the tip. If it's any louder, then your whole arm gets involved. I'm not saying to push back and forth as if you're wearing a cast, but to move all joints.

    The important thing is that you not use a lot of bow. When it comes to tremolos, the best thing to do is to only use and an inch of hair and adjust volume with bow placement and pressure.
     
  3. Dec 6, 2005 #3
    Shelly Renzelman

    Shelly Renzelman

    Oct 14, 2005
    Lewiston, Idaho
    Thanks for the help! Shelly :)