Legato / Melody is a single line. Overlapping notes keep a connected gesture; separate key attacks can make separate strokes. Last-note priority means lifting a newer key can return to an older key that is still held.

Arco / Chords retains independent string parts. Use it for drones, double stops and rolled chords.

Détaché gives separate on-string strokes. Short note lengths can produce a detached or staccato phrase without requiring another articulation switch.

Martelé prepares pressure while the bow is still, releases into travel and separates the following stroke. Use velocity for accents; holding a slur temporarily connects the passage.

Spiccato gives a bouncing contact. Spiccato length / CC4 allows 60–180 ms contact; Dancing Spiccato starts at 136 ms. Releasing a key can still end its contact earlier. A very long held key does not turn a bounce into a sustained legato stroke.

Make a slur

For a simple melody, select MIDI 35 and overlap the next note before releasing the previous one.

For a passage with small keyboard gaps, hold Slur/MIDI 46 or CC64 throughout it. The last bowed pitch can remain held through the gap. Release both the Slur key and slur pedal when the phrase should end.

Continuous bow / CC66 keeps the stroke across notes and chords. It controls bow connection; the Keyboard slur pedal additionally bridges key gaps. A string crossing does not inherently require a direction change.

Retake versus change

Retake/MIDI 44/CC69 lifts and returns the bow near the frog for another down bow, or near the tip for another up bow. The next note uses the prepared direction.
Change bow/MIDI 45/CC31 reverses on the string. At rest it prepares the opposite direction for the next note.
Repeating Down/MIDI 42 or Up/MIDI 43 requests a retake in that direction.
Auto bow/MIDI 41 keeps the current stroke and resumes automatic direction for later separate strokes.

A retake has an airborne interval. A note pressed during the return waits for contact while existing resonance continues. Trigger it just before an intended new same-direction stroke if you need a clean arrival.

Long sustained notes

Automatic bow control conserves travel progressively during quiet and strong sustained playing, including held détaché. It can keep a long line developing without a fresh attack on every finger change.

Available bow travel is finite. Very long or forceful holds can still require a turn. If the bow runs out much too soon, check for a manual high speed/force command or a reduced Available bow travel / CC86. Return Bow character to Auto to restore automatic physical support.

In Bow → Direct, speed and force are independent. This is useful for authored gestures and extreme bow experiments; Musical mode is the practical starting point for keyboard performance.

Bowing and legato.