Re: Off topic - SITT 20 Studies in Double Stops

[Lukas-Fabian Moser]

> > One might add that string players sometimes tend to not precisely
> > adhere to the written note length in polyphonic double stops: Think of
> > the instances where Bach writes a longer note combined in polyphony
> > with shorter notes which are _not_ legato.
> > Playing non-legato and repeating the long note over and over again
> > would be silly.
> So?  You detach the bow from the string with the non-legato note and
> keep it on the string with the long note.  Then you make bow contact
> with the non-legato string again for its next note, never stopping the
> sounding of the long note.
>
> It's sort of a rocking bow action while continually playing the long
> note.  Been there, done that.  Indeed, in Bach partitas.  Takes a bit of
> practice in order not to let the long note wobble too much but very well
> worth it.
Yes, of course one can do that, albeit with some upper bound on the 
tempo in which this is possible (which can be practiced to some quite 
high level and is no obstacle for most of the Bach cello works I cited). 
It does not help, though, for the example from BWV 1011, for fingering 
reasons. (I seriously doubt whether Bach intended the high position for 
the left hand you need to move to in order to realize this strictly as 
written, but admit that I'm no expert in period string playing style.)

Also thanks for the fascinating insight into accordion technique!