Reverse Bowing

Technical Practice
In this technique, the bow is literally reversed so that you play underneath the strings (with the bow wood facing the body) to allow simultaneous bowing of the I and IV strings (or strings I and V on a five-stringed bass). There is no standardized grip, merely what is most comfortable for each performer.

Note
This allows the performance of various wide intervals (see CHORDS).  Sul ponticello markings can apply to this technique, as can legno tratto and col legno battuto.
Tasto areas are very limited as is velocity.

Dynamic Range: pp-ff
Difficulty: 1

Notation

• Verbal instruction: reverse bowing

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See also:
Chords, Col Legno, Sul Pont, Sul Tasto