bågeslag

Bågeslag is a term used in Swedish to describe the action of moving the bow across the strings on bowed string instruments, such as the violin, viola, cello, and double bass. The concept encompasses the way the bow is drawn across the strings to produce sound, including decisions about weight, speed, and contact point.

The two basic forms of bågeslag are nedslag (down-bow) and uppslag (up-bow). Nedslag involves drawing the bow from the frog toward the tip, typically producing a stronger, heavier attack, while uppslag moves from the tip toward the frog, often yielding a lighter, more buoyant sound. Players use these strokes to control phrasing, articulation, and dynamics, and they alternate them to maintain even bow speed across longer phrases.

In practice, bågeslag is combined with various articulations and techniques, such as legato (smoothly connected notes), détaché (distinct notes), spiccato (bounced bow), and martelé (hammered accents). The choice of stroke affects tone color, stress, and the expressive contour of a passage. Notation for these strokes appears in scores as nedslag and uppslag marks or as generic bowing indicators, guiding performers in how to shape each note.

Historically central to Western classical music, bågeslag has been taught as a foundational skill in violin family pedagogy and remains essential for achieving control over tone and articulation in ensemble and solo performances.