Orchestral Bowings and Routines

The Definitive Guide to String Section Pedagogy and Mechanics

Elizabeth A. H. Green’s Orchestral Bowings and Routines is an indispensable pedagogical resource designed specifically for orchestra directors, conductors, and string educators. String bowings can often seem like a mystery to non-string players (and even experienced string players in complex symphonic settings). This book demystifies the fundamental principles of bowing and provides highly practical rules and training routines to achieve uniform phrasing, tone quality, and section unity.

Green bridges the gap between individual instrumental technique and collective ensemble execution, establishing a systematic approach to marking and executing bowings in the school or professional orchestra.

Core Pedagogical Themes

• The Fourteen Basic Bowings: A cornerstone of the book, detailing the fourteen fundamental bowing styles (such as détaché, martelé, spiccato, staccato, and colle) that every string player must master to execute symphonic literature.
• Rules of Artistic Bowing: Clear, actionable guidelines for determining bowing directions (Down-bow vs. Up-bow) based on metric accents, phrasing, dynamics, and rhythmic patterns.
• Bowing Routines for Ensembles: Practical exercises and warm-up routines designed to train an entire string section to move their bows in perfect synchronization, improving both visual precision and auditory blend.
• “Tricks of the Trade” for Rehearsals: Time-tested strategies for diagnosing and correcting common string section errors, teaching bowing styles quickly during rehearsal, and resolving complex bowing dilemmas in standard repertoire.
• Physical Mechanics and Tone Production: Explains the physical relationship between bow speed, bow pressure, and sounding point, helping conductors guide students toward a mature, resonant orchestral sound.