Bowing, Divisi & String Section Marks

A chart of the marks a string section reads together — bow direction and slurs, splitting the section with divisi, and colour instructions such as pizzicato, mutes and sul ponticello.

What's inside

• Bow direction marks — down-bow, up-bow, slur, hooked bowing, retake and louré — with when each is used
• Divisi marks for splitting a section, including div. by desk, div. at the desk, and the difference between double stops and divisi
• Colour instructions — pizzicato and arco, mutes, sul ponticello, sul tasto, col legno, tremolo and harmonics
• Notes on why a section bows alike, and the old rule of down-bow on the strong beat
• Typical section sizes, and why colour changes such as mutes need a bar or two of rest to make
• A before-you-send-the-parts checklist for cancelled divisi, muted notes and playable chords