The détaché family
Plain détaché is one member of a family. The relatives are all "a separate bow per note" with one thing changed — more bow, or a firmer start, or a gentle swell, or a small gap. You don't need to drill these now; the point is to recognise them when a phrase asks for one, and to try each once so the word means something.
Grand détaché — the big one
Whole bows, fast, with weight — a broad, ringing, energetic sound. Each note is so long it feels slightly separated just from its size. This is the forte orchestral sound, and the sound of the opening of the Mozart D-major concerto.
How to play it
Whole bows, from the frog. Fast bow, enough weight to fill the sound, middle lane. Don't stop between notes — the separation comes from the sheer length of each stroke.
Accented détaché — a firm start
A defined attack at the front of each note — a small lean or bite — then the note carries on and rings. Used for marked, marcato passages where the notes should "speak" clearly without being hammered.
How to play it
Upper half of the bow. A little extra weight right at the start of each stroke, then relax into the note. The bow keeps moving.
Détaché porté — the singing one
Each note gently swelled — a soft bloom in the middle, made with bow speed, not
weight, and no hard start. "Carried". This is the stroke of a lyrical slow movement, and it's
dynamics-are-a-bow-thing in miniature: you're shaping every single note with the bow.
How to play it
Middle of the bow, moderate weight. Start each stroke slow, accelerate through the middle, decelerate to the end. The note swells and settles. This is the sound of a Mozart Andante.
Détaché lancé — a small gap
A "darted" note: the bow slows or briefly stops between notes, leaving a tiny silence, but without an accent. Light and articulate. Several often fit in one bow direction. It sits between plain détaché and the stopped strokes coming up.
How the family connects
Everything here is a dial between two neighbours you already know or are about to meet:
- add a gap → toward staccato
- add a hard prepared bite and a stop → martelé (next movement)
- swell each note with speed → détaché porté
- take away everything extra → plain détaché
The usual mistake
Making every détaché an accented one — starting every note with a little push out of habit, so a smooth passage comes out lumpy. Plain détaché has no accent. Save the firm start for where the music actually asks for it.