Calibrating a bowing checker for violin students

Playing a string instrument, such as the violin, requires solving many problems in controlling the bow. For example, the player may find that ‘saving bow’ is crucial to getting through a passage, yet not know why. Computer models may be able to help musicians to understand such problems better and to find solutions. We have developed a simple bowing model that analyses a piece of music and calculates predicted bow speeds and positions. The model takes account of notes, slurs and ties, tempo, and dynamics. It has been implemented as a computer program that reads a score, analyses it and outputs an annotated score that indicates detailed information about the predicted bow positions and speeds. To support practical applications, as well as further research, the model needs to be validated and calibrated. In this article, we compare the predictions of the model with the performances of one of us, a violinist with a professional violin performance education. The results indicate that the model is accurate enough to predict places where practical difficulties, such as running out of bow, are likely to occur.