Just a quick query...what type of bowing is normally used for the rapid passages in the Monti Csardas? Viohazard wants to check in his books if he's doing it right, but isn't sure exactly what type of bowing is involved.

Son's teacher couldn't remember what it was called (he's helped Viohazard immensely with cleaning up his technique, but he teaches almost nobody else and is not playing in an orchestra at present).

He seemed to show him a circling off-string sautille (I think) at first, and then suggested that he try a "drop-and-bounce" slapping motion (ricochet? Slap spiccato?)

In the earlier sections he was suggesting some kind of flying staccato???

Sorry if my descriptions aren't helpful, I'm no expert!

Sorry can't help - being just a beginner still - but want to say this is a fantastic piece. My teacher played it in a concert earlier this year and I'm determined to learn it.... one day

It's sautillé (or it is when I play it and my teacher plays it) riccochet wouldn't work in this instance and spiccato would be too slow - if you're playing it right, just the fingers will move on the fast bit and the bow will naturally move to a very fast sautillé stroke. Relaxed forearm and lots of finger motion is the best way forward.

Allan

I agree. Sautille is the way to do it. easier if the speed is just right!
Kim

There's a great section in the Casorti bowing technique book on sautille which would be helpful for sorting out any coordination problems, which I found to be a problem (especially with the string crossings involved) when playing this piece. The most important thing to play sautille effectively is knowing exactly where in the bow the stroke should be executed, something which is individual to each bow, but is generally just slightly nearer the heel than the tip, and having control over the speed.

Thank you for all the replies. I just couldn't get the right answer about the Csardas bowing.
But I still can't get my wrist soft? I just can't understand how to do it.....

I think I've got the speed though. I've played it before.(But it was before I knew advanced bowings).

My teacher said it's like the french 'saute' when you fry something lightly and quickly! So your bow should move lightly and quickly. Middle of the bow, slight 'bite' at the beginning of each stroke. Also, I think it's a ballet term for light, quick steps.

Can't do it tho....

Check out violinmasterclass. There's a clip there with a boy playing Czardas. He's pretty good too! He uses a Sautille stroke.

It has to be sautille bowing. It is ultimately the most comfortable bowing at that tempo and it even says to do sautille bowing on one of the copies of this piece that I have. Definately sautille.