Spiccato Through Body Awareness
When studying spiccato or any bowing technique on the double bass, it’s crucial to be fully aware of our body. A musician in tune with their body can optimize their spiccato technique, using minimal tension and only the necessary effort. This helps improve technical skills and enhances performance.
Why body awareness improves your spiccato technique
Both beginners and professionals benefit from maintaining correct posture and efficiently using muscles, allowing greater endurance during long practice sessions and performances. Body awareness helps identify and correct poor posture habits from the start, promoting healthy and sustainable practices essential for developing and maintaining musical skills throughout our careers.
Breathing and muscle relaxation go hand in hand. Deep, controlled breathing facilitates muscle relaxation, releasing accumulated tension that can negatively impact technique and sound quality. Moreover, proper breathing contributes to a calm, focused state, reducing stress and anxiety.
The most common mistake when studying spiccato
Spiccato is a virtuosic bowing technique that requires fluidity, closely linked to muscle relaxation. One common mistake hindering progress in this technique is tensing up. Even after practicing for some time and feeling close to mastering it, tension creeps in, disrupting smooth movement.
It’s often not just about tightening the bow; tension starts earlier. We tighten arm muscles trying to “control” the movement when actually, it’s about letting go. Learning to release and relax first, and then control within that relaxed state, is key. I know it sounds confusing, so I’ll show you with a video.
In summary
Incorporating a mindful approach into daily practice can transform how we approach studying the double bass, improving our spiccato technique, reducing tension and the risk of injuries, and promoting a smoother and more expressive performance.
Regarding spiccato, remember it’s about releasing and relaxing; understanding and studying how the movement works from the beginning is key. With patience and discipline, everything is achievable.
If you need personalized guidance, I invite you to schedule a lesson; the first one is completely free. Let’s study together!
Exercises to master spiccato
In the following videos, I’ll share a series of exercises to understand and master spiccato: first practicing the movement without the bow, then with the bow without trying to control it, and finally controlling the movement. I’ve condensed them as much as possible, but remember, in real practice, it’s not as easy as following three steps and being done. Give your body time to absorb each stage and gradually build that body awareness I mentioned earlier. The second video focuses on bow grip on the string. Let’s study together!
