What is the symbol above this note?

Question

What does the following symbol mean?

I can barely read music, but I think that indicated a down-bow on a stringed instrument — Dave Jacoby, Jul 29 '21 at 16:31
Please add the instrument involved to your question. That will help for others who have the same question. — Aaron, Jul 29 '21 at 16:33
This might be of interest, from a few years back: https://music.stackexchange.com/q/20154/9198 — Bob Broadley, Jul 30 '21 at 13:17

score 14 · Accepted Answer · answered Jul 29 '21 at 16:31

14

This is a "down bow" symbol. It means that the note should be played by drawing the bow from the frog toward the tip.

An "up bow" — drawing the bow from tip toward the frog — is a "V"-shaped symbol.

answered Jul 29 '21 at 16:31

Aaron

8

This notation, probably adapted from bowed instruments, is also used for the guitar, where ⃩ stands for down picking (towards treble strings), and V upstroke (towards bass strings). – user1079505 Jul 29 '21 at 17:14
It always puzzled me that V, a downward arrow should mean Up Bow, whilst the ∏ symbol which has a line at the top means Down Bow. – Brian THOMAS Jul 30 '21 at 12:41
4

@BrianTHOMAS I've heard different theories about the reason. One was that they were originally letters, with **n** denoting _nobilis_ and **v** _vilis_, which did actually not specify bowing direction as such but basically _importance_ of notes – and at some point players would be playing all weak notes with an upbow so it because synonymous. Another explanation was that they're simply icons depicting the frog and tip of a bow. Anyway on viols, cellos and basses the terms “down” and ”up” don't really apply, they just spread over from the violins. – leftaroundabout Jul 30 '21 at 13:32
@leftaroundabout never really thought about the fact that you don't pick/bow up/down on a cello/bass... it's sideways.. sort of :) - the first theory sounds pretty plausible though, interesting info. – Charleh Jul 30 '21 at 14:07

1 Answers1