How To Play Spiccato Bowing Technique on Violin
If you’ve ever watched an advanced violinist make their bow gracefully bounce off the string with perfect control and tone, you’ve witnessed the beauty of spiccato. It’s one of the most expressive bowing techniques in a violinist’s toolbox—and while it looks effortless, getting there takes focused, daily work.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to start your spiccato journey, how to practice effectively, and what common mistakes to avoid.
What Is Spiccato?
Spiccato is a controlled bouncing stroke, where the bow leaves the string between notes. There are many variations—slow, fast, accented, light—but it all comes down to one thing: mastering control over the bounce.
Step 1: The Right Bow Grip
Before you bounce, you need flexibility in your hand. That starts with:
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A relaxed pinky (not locked or straight)
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A flexible thumb (slightly bent—not rigid)
Imagine trying to run with your knees locked. That’s what spiccato feels like with a stiff bow hold. Keep it loose and responsive.
Step 2: Mark Your Bow
Use painter’s or masking tape to mark a “spiccato zone” on your bow—usually between 8¼ and 10½ inches from the frog. This visual cue helps train your eye and hand coordination.
Step 3: Basic Spiccato Exercise
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Hold the bow properly.
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Drop the bow gently in the taped zone, letting it rebound naturally.
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Keep your motion light—between the fingerboard and the bridge.
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Think down-scoop, up-scoop using your fingers and wrist—not your whole arm.
Focus on even sound quality. Your up and down bows should sound identical.
Step 4: Practice on All Strings
Spiccato feels different on each string. Practice on G, D, A, and E, making sure your bounce and tone stay consistent.
Step 5: Add a Metronome
Start slow:
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Set the metronome to 50 bpm
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Play 2 bounces per beat on each string
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Once it’s consistent, go up to 60, 70, 80 bpm—and so on
Use this pattern:
Open string – 4 bounces Next string – 4 bounces …then back down
Step 6: Fingered Notes
Now add left-hand fingers:
Play open–1–2–3–4 on each string, with 4 bounces per note. Build this up from 60 bpm to 80–90 over time.
Step 7: Rhythmic Variations
Once you’re feeling solid, try mixing it up:
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Eighth notes
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Triplets
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Sixteenth notes
Keep using the metronome, and slowly raise the tempo each week.
Key Tips to Remember
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Flexibility is essential: Never lock your pinky or thumb.
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Faster = smaller: As tempo increases, your bounce height decreases.
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Move up the bow: Higher speed spiccato usually feels better farther from the frog.
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Relaxation is key: Your #1 enemy is tension. Stay loose.
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It takes time: Spiccato doesn’t click overnight. Be patient.
Final Thoughts
Spiccato is one of those techniques that pays off the more you practice it. Add just a few minutes to your warm-ups 3–4 times a week, and you’ll start seeing results. As always, stay focused, stay relaxed—and enjoy the process.
If you have questions, leave a comment or drop us a line. We're always happy to help.
Happy practicing!
