Tonalization: Variations on the Longest Note in the World

After doing the longest note in the world for a while, you might like to try some other open string exercises.
One variation is to play around with controlling different bow speeds. For example, using a metronome, start moderately slowly with perhaps 6 beats to each bow with the metronome on 60. Then progressively add a beat with each new bow or as each speed becomes good. Try to get up to as much as 30 or more beats for one bow with even, focused tone. You will need to "surf" the contact point, always wanting to be as close to the bridge as possible without breaking the sound. This exercise could also be done in reverse, starting at the slowest speed and doing progressively fewer beats per bow.
Another variation is to focus not just on the very slow end of the spectrum, but on managing various bow speeds. Here I'll stick with one speed per bow, although changing speeds within a bow is also important. So this variation would be to have a prescribed plan for the number of beats for each bow, then to try to make the bow speed exactly even from frog to tip (or tip to frog), and of course to always maximize the sound. The plan could be anything: 2 6 10 3 8 14 1 7 for example, or 2 4 6 8 10 8 6 4 2, or 3 1 4 1 5 9 (pi) or a phone number. You get the idea. Try to anticipate the new speed so that adjustments are minimal. It helps to mentally divide the bow into halves, thirds, or something like this in order to immediately gauge whether the speed is to fast or slow.
As you can see, these variations are about transitions as well as just knowing how to judge your pace. More variations to come soon.