On-The-String
A type of bow stroke that means "separated" and is the default style of bowing.
Détaché
A technique that uses bow speed at the beginning of the stroke to create a crisp beginning to the note. French, meaning "hammered."
Martelé
To play with the stick part of the bow on the string. Italian term meaning, "with wood"
Col legno
The part of the bow that has a rectangular shape and is the place of origin of the down bow.
Frog
This is what you should always loosen at the end of a playing session.
Bow hair
This is a term which means "smooth & connected." Often used to express slurs.
Legato
A bow stroke that is characterized by a bounce off the string and often used with staccato markings
Spiccato
A technique used to achieve a glassy or metallic sound by playing very close or on top of the bridge.
Sul ponticello
This instrument bow hold has two versions: French and German
Bass
The part of the bow that could snap if the hair is too tight
The stick
Bow Stroke that involves a slight stop in the middle of the motion but does not change bow direction.
Hooked Bow
To "throw" the bow on the string, and let it bounce naturally for several notes in the same or different bow direction.
Ricochet
A technique used to achieve a feathery, wispy and quiet tone by playing over the fingerboard.
Sul Tasto
This part of the bow was historically made of ivory.
Tip
This will create a gunky build-up on the bow hair and young players are discouraged use these to handle the bow hair.
Fingertips
Portato
This type of bow stroke is spiccato but fast and it actually turns into an on-the-string stroke. French for "jumping"
Sautillé
You play repeated notes freely with no accent or rhythm by means of very fast up and downstrokes, giving a "trembling" sound.
Tremolo (unmeasured)
This type of bow hold involves the pinky resting on the inlaid circle in the center of the frog as opposed to on top of the stick.
Cello/Bass; low string
This is what can get stuck to the strings and fingerboard of your instrument.
A term that describes a full-bodied tone. French for "a threaded sound"
Son filé
You play this type of spiccato stroke with a dryer, crisper stroke in the higher part of the bow.
Quick repeated string crossings and alternation between a static note and changing notes; forming a melody above or below the static note. French for "sweeping"
Bariolage
This piece of metal is where some beginning violin players place their thumb in a developing bowhold.
Ferrule
The name of the person who is trained in replacing bow hair and other string-related repairs.
Luthier