How to create dynamics
Dynamics are the volume at which you play. This includes loud, soft, the transition between the two, and everything in between. There are four ways to create dynamics on the violin, which I have listed below in order of difficulty.
Amount of bow
Changing the amount of bow you use is not often cited as a way to create dynamics, but I have found it to be very effective and relatively easy. The principle is simple: to play louder, use more bow, and to play softer, use less bow. That’s it! I often use this method with beginner students in Suzuki books 1 and 2.
Bow speed
Bow speed refers to how fast or slow you move the bow. This is most effective when creating crescendos (ie getting louder) or decrescendos (ie getting softer). To create a crescendo, gradually speed up your bow, and to create a decrescendo, gradually slow down your bow. You may find that this naturally alters the amount of bow used as well.
Weight
Weight is often called “pressure”, but I try to steer away from that term as it denotes tension or squeezing. Weight denotes using the natural weight of your arm to sink into the string, which allows for not only a louder sound but also a more resonant one. To play louder, put more weight into the string, and to play softer, put less weight into the string.
Contact point
Contact point refers to the place your bow makes contact with the violin. Generally, the bow should stay halfway between the bridge and fingerboard; however, to get a louder sound, move the bow closer to the bridge, and to get a softer sound, move the bow closer to the fingerboard.
True beauty comes from the combination of these different elements. Once you understand these topics by themselves, experiment with them in different combinations. This is your chance to have fun and experiment!
Finally, I would be remiss if I did not mention vibrato, which can absolutely effect your dynamics. I find that vibrato is most effective during crescendos and decrescendos. During crescendos, speed up the vibrato, and during decrescendos, slow down the vibrato.
Watch the video below for a demonstration of each of these elements.
