down-bow

[doun-boh]

noun

Music.

1. (in bowing bow on a stringed instrument) a stroke bringing the tip of the bow toward the strings, indicated in scores by the symbol (up-bow ).

down-bow

/ ˈdaʊnˌbəʊ /

noun

1. a downward stroke of the bow from its nut to its tip across a stringed instrument Compare up-bow

Word History and Origins

Origin of down-bow¹

First recorded in 1890–95; down ¹ + bow ²

Example Sentences

The soloists evoke characters: Ms. Wu’s pipa on a merry walk, matched by Mr. Ma’s bouncing, buoyant down-bow strokes.

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In music for stringed instruments of the violin family, the sign indicates down-bow and the sign up-bow.

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And the violinist should never think: 'I must play this up-bow or down-bow.'

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In cello music the down-bow sign is sometimes written .

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The change from up-bow to down-bow and vice versa should be made without a break, exclusively through skillful manipulation of the wrist.

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