Basic Bow Pressures

There are three basic bow pressures:

• Naturale: the typical pressure used for 'normal' playing.
• Flautando: A much lighter bow pressure which allows more overtones to emerge.
• Crushed Bowing: bowing with excessive weight which distorts the vibration pattern of the string causing a multiphonic type sound.

There are several gradients between each of these areas which are too small to accurately notate , but are possible to highlight if one is to achieve a gradual transition from one area to another. 

Notation

• Verbal instruction: Nat, Flautando etc
• Graphic instruction if changing between pressures:

Kaija Saariaho Folia (1995)

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