Train Bowing Workshop

Prepare for the journey

You can make the most of this workshop with a little preparation.

Listen and/or learn these songs in advance:

• Bile’em Cabbage Down
• Old Joe Clark – Basic Version

Learn or Review:

• Pedal Pattern Exercises I
• Double Stops 1.1

Objectives

• Develop a better rhythmic feel by mastering the train bowing technique.
• Learn to apply train bowing to scales and tunes.
• Approach practice creatively with variation and improvisation.

Here’s what we’ll do

• Warm up with D Major scale: 8, 4, and 1 bow per step.
• Practice pedal patterns: D0-0-A0-D0 with offbeat accents.
• Use a metronome for timing, starting slow and increasing speed.
• Alternate between hoedown and train bowing styles.
• Apply train bowing to tunes like Bile ‘Em Cabbage Down.
• Explore advanced offbeat anticipation techniques.

Warm Up 🌅

Warm up using a drone track or metronome. Start with single notes, making them sound amazing. Move on to a scale with that same great sound.

• Feel it in the body
• Enjoy the sound
• Add rhythms

D drone

 

D Major

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Train Bowing Basics

Start with the Pedal Pattern:

• Pattern: D0-0-A0-D0.
• The A0 note falls on the offbeat (beats 2 and 4).

Open D with Offbeat Accents:

• Focus on creating accents with a bit of extra bow pressure or grit rather than more bow length.

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Add Metronome

• Introduce a metronome to lock in timing and rhythm.
• Start slow (e.g., 60 BPM) and gradually increase speed as comfort and accuracy improve.
• Use the metronome to practice both the pedal pattern and offbeat accents.

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Pedal Patterns with Fingering

• Progress through these patterns:
  • D0-0-A0-D0-D0-0-A0-D0.
  • D1-1-A0-D2-D1-1-A0-D2.
  • Experiment with similar patterns as you advance.

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Droning Double Stops

• Start with two quarter notes on D Major, creating a strong and steady drone.

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Hoedown and Train Bowing Alternation

• Practice alternating between hoedown and train bowing styles:
  • 4 repetitions of each for a smooth transition.

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Tunes

• Apply train bowing to classic fiddle tunes:
  • Bile ‘Em Cabbage Down.
  • Old Joe Clarke.

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Practice Train Bowing on Scales

• Revisit the D Major scale:
  • Play 8, 4, and 1 bow per scale step using the train bowing technique.

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Apply Train Bowing to Chords

• Start with a single chord:
  • Break it into two notes and play it as a pedal pattern.
  • Then transition to playing it as a double stop.
• Chord Progressions:
  • Use train bowing to explore different progressions.
• Deconstruct and Rebuild (PED/Deconstruct):
  • Practice singing the rhythm separate from chording on songs like Don’t Think Twice.

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Advanced Practice: Offbeat Anticipation

• For advanced players, focus on practicing offbeat anticipation within the train bowing pattern for an added rhythmic challenge.

 

Ask yourself:

• What did I learn from this workshop?
• What has improved?
• What still needs work?

Take notes on the details and quality of your session in your practice journal:

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Open D

D0-1

8 bows per step.

D Major

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Train Bowing Workshop

Do it on your own

You’ll get the most out of this workshop if you do this routine on your own. Repeat the steps and see how it feels different. Then repeat the steps with other songs. Experiment  and personalize it. Share what you discover in a comment below.

Practice Skills 📈

Once you’ve got this rhythm, use it to work on other skills you’ve learned. Start by practicing just one skill with this.

• Tuning
• Timing
• Tone
• Bowing
• Ear-training
• Reading Sheet music
• Posture

More advanced players can use this beginner song to practice more advanced skills like double stops, vibrato, third position, etc. I call this the Easy Song, Skills Strong strategy.