Upbow

Upbow is a basic bowing directive used in bowed string instruments such as the violin, viola, cello, and double bass. It designates the direction of the bow stroke opposite to downbow. The notation for upbow is a small V placed above or below notes; the downbow symbol is a square-like mark. Physically, upbow indicates the bow should move from the tip toward the frog (the hand end), while downbow indicates movement from the frog toward the tip.

In performance, upbow is used to achieve a range of articulations and phrasing effects. It often begins notes with a lighter, more buoyant stroke and is common on off-beats or within legato passages that require evenness across a phrase. Players may switch between upbow and downbow to shape dynamics, balance the melodic line, or emphasize musical contours. For rapid or decorative bowing such as spiccato, sautillé, or détaché passages, a mix of directions is typically employed to produce the desired texture.

Historically, upbow and downbow notation has been part of standard string pedagogy since the Baroque era and remains essential in modern technique. While some passages can be played without strict adherence to a particular bow direction, the symbols provide guidance for articulation, tone color, and rhythmic clarity. The concept is taught across violin family instruments and is a foundational element of bowing notation and performance practice.