Detache

Detache is a bowing style used on bowed string instruments, especially the violin, viola, cello, and double bass. The term comes from the French détaché, meaning detached. In this technique, each note is produced with a separate bow stroke, creating a clear, distinct articulation between pitches as opposed to a smooth legato connection.

In practice, detache involves using alternating bow directions for successive notes, with the stroke length and weight adjusted to suit tempo and musical context. The notes are not inherently short like staccato, but they are articulated with separation. Detache can range from light, evenly weighted strokes to stronger, more accentuated strokes, depending on style, dynamics, and the desired clarity of articulation. The touch is typically centered around the bow’s upper half or frog, with a steady bow speed and controlled pressure to maintain evenness across notes.

Detache is one of the fundamental articulation types taught in string pedagogy alongside legato, staccato, and spiccato. It is commonly used in classical repertoire from Baroque to Romantic periods and remains a practical default for clean, detached passages in modern editions. The exact execution can vary by period and composer; some passages call for a strict, even detaché, while others allow a more flexible, lightly separated stroke, sometimes described as portato when the notes are lightly connected with slight separation.

Notation and interpretation: detaché is typically realized by writing successive notes without a slur in the part, or by directing the performer to use detached bowing through performance instructions. The goal is to produce a crisp, articulate texture that preserves musical phrasing and clarity.