Chopping: Creating Percussive Rhythms on String Instruments with Your Bow

In the world of string instruments, chopping has become an essential tool for musicians looking to add percussive energy to their playing. It adds rhythmic drive to your playing and is an essential technique when playing bluegrass, country, folk, and other fiddling styles.

Back in 2018, we hosted a masterclass with acclaimed violinist David Wong. He broke down the basics of chopping and how to use it to create compelling rhythms.

 

What is Chopping?

Chopping is a bowing technique where string players use their bow to create sharp, percussive sounds on their strings. This technique mimics the rhythmic role of a snare drum and helps establish a groove in ensemble settings. While it originated in bluegrass music, chopping has since found its way into jazz, pop, and even classical string arrangements.

The Ghost Chop

The Ghost Chop serves as a subtle rhythmic placeholder, providing texture without dominating the soundscape.

Steps to Perform a Ghost Chop:

1. Place your bow on the middle two strings, close to the fingerboard.
2. Use your left hand to lightly cover the strings without pressing them down fully.
3. Lift the bow slightly upward and toward your left, forming an angle of about 80 degrees.
4. Play the Ghost Chop in a steady rhythm, such as eighth notes (1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &).
5. Use a metronome to practice slowly, starting at around 60 beats per minute, and gradually increase speed.

The key to a good Ghost Chop is control. You want a clean, snare-like sound without excessive string noise.

The Regular Chop

The Regular Chop provides a more pronounced percussive accent, anchoring the rhythm with a clear and intentional sound.

Steps to Perform a Regular Chop:

1. Position your bow closer to the bridge.
2. Tilt the bow slightly toward your left hand, using the edge of the bow hair.
3. Land the bow firmly on the strings, allowing it to "stick" momentarily before lifting.
4. For cellos and basses, focus on the middle two strings and push slightly toward the bridge before lifting.
5. Practice combining the Regular Chop with Ghost Chops to create varied patterns.

Combining Ghost and Regular Chops

One of the most effective rhythmic patterns involves alternating Ghost and Regular Chops:

• Beats 1 & 3: Ghost Chop
• Beats 2 & 4: Regular Chop

When practiced with a metronome, this pattern creates a steady, drum-like groove. Start slow, and as you gain confidence, increase the tempo by increments of five beats per minute.

Adding Notes and Chords

Once you're comfortable with the basic chop patterns, you can start incorporating melodic notes and chords.

• Replace some Ghost Chops with short, melodic notes.
• Use your left hand to create chord shapes while maintaining the rhythmic bowing motion.
• Think of your right hand like a guitarist's strumming hand, keeping a continuous flow of motion.

Why Chopping Matters

Chopping isn't just a technique; it's a powerful tool for arranging and performing in diverse musical settings. Whether you're backing up a singer, supporting a quartet, or playing in a band, chopping allows you to contribute rhythmically while still maintaining the expressive qualities of your instrument.

As David Wong emphasizes, the goal of chopping isn't just to recreate notes—it's to recreate the sound and energy of an entire rhythm section. With practice, your bow can become as versatile as a drumstick or a guitarist's pick.

So grab your metronome, start slow, and let your bow become the heartbeat of your music!