3 Tips to Cross Multiple Strings on the Violin | Violin Lounge TV #339

by | Nov 27, 2019 | Bowing Technique | 6 comments

How to skip a string without noise or hitting the string in between? For example when going from a G to an A string or E string (a big string crossing).

There are 3 ways to tackle a big string crossing in which you have to skip one or two strings

Here’s how to avoid noise and hitting the strings in between.

#1: See if it’s really necessary

If you can do position play, you might choose a different fingering and avoid the big string crossing altogether. In the video above I show you an example.

#2: Time the string crossing in the bow change

Don’t bow and cross strings at the same time. First make a down bow, cross strings and make an up bow. If will be sloppy if you don’t do the string crossing in the bow change, but during the bow stroke.

Hi! I'm Zlata

Classical violinist helping you overcome technical struggles and play with feeling by improving your bow technique.

#3 Lift the bow when crossing strings

Another trick is to lift the bow just a little bit to avoid sounds on the strings you want to avoid to hit.

Practice string crossings!

Download Ševčík’s 40 variations below and take a look at variation nr 13 to practice big string crossings.

6 Comments

  1. Stewart

    Hello Zlata,

    I can manage the play on D stop on D rotate and Play on E string.
    The tune is an Irish Slide ‘Going to the Well for Water’ and is an octave apart viz E on D string to open E;
    but needs to be very quick to hide the ‘stop and rotate.
    Many thanks for the tip
    Stewart

    Reply
    • Violinist Zlata Brouwer

      Glad it’s helpful, Stewart, in octaves you might want to use first and fourth finger to avoid a large string crossing in a high tempo. On the other side in Irish music, you might prefer the ringing open E string.

      Reply
  2. Rty Euzch

    Hi Zlata,

    So I can do string crossings okay, but how would I do a string crossing from the G-string C note to the 4th finger E (in A string) note in a slur?

    Reply
    • Violinist Zlata Brouwer

      Hi, thanks for your question, could you give me some context? Which piece are you referring to? And which bow technique is used? In that way I can give a more specific answer to your question. All the best, Zlata

      Reply
  3. Thisbe

    A simple but excellent advice: do not cross and bow at the same time. Instead of practicing over and over on the smooth movement of crossing I now focus on the split second between the down and up bow to cross the strings. And it works so well!!!

    Reply

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  1. Learn VIOLIN Lesson 25: La Vie en Rose by Edith Piaf EASY Violin Tutorial - Violin Lounge - […] 3 Tips on string crossings over multiple strings […]

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