How To Use a Bow: Bowed Drone TechniqueDownload "How to Use a Bow: Bowed Drone" as an (avi file) or as an (mp4 zipfile)The Bowed Drone reminds me of humpback whales. I like the sound! Set your kantele down on a table or other surface. You need to stand up in order to draw the bow properly for this technique. Check that your instrument's at a comfortable height so you can play without having to stoop over it. I think it's easier to stand just to the left of the kantele. I usually use the two lowest strings for the best drone effect, but I will add another string, occasionally, for interest. ![]() To duplicate the sound, position your bow between two of the tuning pins and point the tip of the bow upwards at an angle of 30-35 degrees. ![]() Now draw the bow toward you, gradually lowering the tip so that it's perpendicular to the string when you're through. Push the bow away from you, gradually raising the tip toward the ceiling as you stroke it across the string in the other direction. Try exerting less pressure, or more pressure. Now place the fingers of your left hand lightly on top of the bow as you draw it back and forth. How does this change the sound? Try angling the bow slightly instead of drawing it across the strings evenly. Do you like that sound? Don't worry if you sound bad. Remember -- you can't find good sounds without finding a lot of bad ones, too! Those terrible squeaks and squawks are showing you where the good sounds lie. Listen to them! |