Preparing for the finger stroke

One of the most basic and fundamental bow strokes, the Colle is an essential component to a sound bow technique.

To better understand the following exercises, let us first examine our hand and familiarize ourselves with the names of the finger bones.

DISTAL PHALANGES - the very tips of your fingers.

INTERMEDIATE PHALANGES - the portion of your fingers directly above the distal phalanges.

PROXIMAL PHALANGES - the third section of your fingers, the one which connects to your base knuckles.

METACARPALS - the bones below your base knuckles which form the "back of your hand".

Of these terms, the PROXIMAL PHALANGES ARE PERHAPS THE MOST IMPORTANT.

Preparations for the finger stroke.

1. Straighten and stretch your fingers so that the distal, intermediate and proximal phalanges form a 90 degree angle to the back of your hand.

2. Pull your fingers up and curl them so that your proximal phalanges are at the same angle as the back of your hand ( metacarpals ).

3. Position your thumb on the intermediate phalange of your middle finger.

4. Repeat steps 1 and 2 ( make sure the thumb curves and straightens with the fingers )

5. Holding your bow in the following positions, repeat steps 1 and 2 :

a) Horizontally and upside down

b) Horizontally

c) Vertically

6. Place the bow on the string near the frog. Repeat steps 1 and 2.

ONLY YOUR FINGERS WILL MOVE. DO NOT MOVE YOUR ARM OR WRIST.

You will now be executing a very short 2.5 centimeter finger stroke!