# The Speaking Bow, Cello

Martelé, staccato, collé, and spiccato

The bow is capable of far more than legato and détaché. This module introduces martelé, staccato, collé, and the beginnings of spiccato, the off-string stroke that appears in nearly every intermediate piece.

Intermediate · 5 lessons · approximately 64 minutes of material (not a mastery deadline).

## Before this module
- [The Daily Bread](/learn/cello/technique-routine), Scales, arpeggios, and technical warm-up

## What this module covers
1. **Martelé**, The hammered stroke, crisp attacks with release (13 min)
2. **On-string Staccato**, Multiple stopped notes in a single bow direction (13 min)
3. **Collé**, The pinch-and-release stroke for clean string crossings (12 min)
4. **Introduction to Spiccato**, The controlled off-string bounce (14 min)
5. **Your Bow Vocabulary**, Choosing the right stroke for each musical moment (12 min)

## Practise with a free reference
- [Free metronome](/tools/metronome), Use a steady pulse while you count or repeat a short phrase.

## What comes next
- [Shadow and Light](/learn/cello/dynamics-color), Advanced dynamics and tone color

## Where should I start with the speaking bow?
The curriculum places The Daily Bread before this module. Review those topics if they are unfamiliar. The first lesson is “Martelé”: The hammered stroke, crisp attacks with release. The order is a study guide, not proof that every learner needs the same pace.

## How long is the the speaking bow module?
The 5 listed lessons total approximately 64 minutes of material. That estimate describes lesson content, not the practice time needed to become comfortable with martelé, staccato, collé, and spiccato. Revisit one task at a time and use feedback from a teacher where physical technique is involved.

## What can I try here without an account?
The the speaking bow description, lesson sequence and prerequisite links are public. There is no full worked lesson sample for this module yet. The linked public tools and references are free. A free account includes the complete five-lesson foundation module in each instrument and five lessons in music theory, with saved progress and no expiry. Later lessons require the relevant paid package.

## Continue in Arco
The complete five-lesson foundation module in each instrument and five music theory lessons are free with an account, including saved progress and no time limit. Later lessons require the relevant paid package. Public samples do not assess your physical technique or certify exam readiness.

[See packages and pricing](/pricing) · [Back to the cello curriculum](/learn/cello)

Canonical source: https://arcosounds.com/learn/cello/bow-techniques