Bow hold correction.

[Reuben Javier Phoenix]

Hello all,
I got a Bow the other day never really had to use it before on the bass (play Jazz). Used to play violin though. Can't stop holding it like a violin bow!!! Any tips to correct?

It's dangerous I know.

[thisnameistaken]

How did you get the bass under your chin?

[ubassman]

Key thing to know really is whether your bow is French ( 'overhand' grip ) or German ( 'underhand' grip ) ?

This might help get you started
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZA9kE06SVM&list=PLA34135CFAC1A5B49&index=2[/media]
There are differing schools of thought and variations within both ...which can be confusing - there are no 'absolutes' otherwise everyone would play with one bow and one technique. The best advice would be to get a teacher and practice good habits from the offset rather than have to unlearn some self acquired 'not so good' habits at a later stage. Good luck and stick with it...playing with the bow will suddenly 'unlock' .

Edited March 6, 2013 by ubassman

[odonovanr]

Here is what they look lilke.

This is a german bow.

Edited March 6, 2013 by odonovanr

[odonovanr]

and this is the french bow

[odonovanr]

You may also want to look at the discussion about bows, here

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/195180-french-or-german/"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/195180-french-or-german/[/url]

But even though my choice is German bow, if you played the violin, a French bow may seem easier to you.

BTW if one sort was really overall better, the other sort wouldn't be around anymore, so it is really about how you feel.

[fatback]

Try to get hold of Francois Rabbath's Art of the Bow dvd. He talks about every aspect. Very practical and inspirational as well. Top players say he bows like an angel.

btw The DVD is not the Rabbath 'art of the bow' you see on youtube searches. That's a live class. The DVD is just to camera.

[Reuben Javier Phoenix]

Hahaha thanks Guys,
I already knew it was a French bow and how you should hold both German and French. Sorry should have specified.

The thing is I keep holding it like a violin bow with thumb pointing up and fingers dropped on top like this... http://www.singingwood.com/violin-bow-hold/VolinBowHoldImages/BowHold02.jpg

How would you suggest I break the habit?

[Reuben Javier Phoenix]

[quote name='fatback' timestamp='1362576273' post='2001520']
Try to get hold of Francois Rabbath's Art of the Bow dvd. He talks about every aspect. Very practical and inspirational as well. Top players say he bows like an angel.

btw The DVD is not the Rabbath 'art of the bow' you see on youtube searches. That's a live class. The DVD is just to camera.
[/quote]

Ordering now!!!! Rabbath is a beast. Thanks for the suggestion.

[ubassman]

[quote name='Reuben Javier Phoenix' timestamp='1362578303' post='2001559']
Hahaha thanks Guys,
I already knew it was a French bow and how you should hold both German and French. Sorry should have specified.

The thing is I keep holding it like a violin bow with thumb pointing up and fingers dropped on top like this... [url="http://www.singingwood.com/violin-bow-hold/VolinBowHoldImages/BowHold02.jpg"]http://www.singingwo...s/BowHold02.jpg[/url]

How would you suggest I break the habit?
[/quote]

If you drive, try practicing the French bow grip on the steering wheel of you car with the thumb bent in towards the direction of the ring finger rather than out in the 'thumbs up!' position.

[Reuben Javier Phoenix]

[quote name='ubassman' timestamp='1362579070' post='2001580']
If you drive, try practicing the French bow grip on the steering wheel of you car with the thumb bent in towards the direction of the ring finger rather than out in the 'thumbs up!' position.
[/quote]

Thanks a lot. I'll practice the hold whenever I'm away from the bass.

[MandShef]

The best description I heard for it was to reach out your bow hand as if to grab a drawer handle, then pull it towards you (open the drawer) and away (closing the drawer). The way you hold your bow should feel like this i.e. fingers down and over, not gripping too tight, wrist relaxed and loose! Hope this helps? If you do a google search there are quite a lot of video tutorials that may be better as there'll be visuals for you.

[fatback]

[quote name='Reuben Javier Phoenix' timestamp='1362578505' post='2001562']
Ordering now!!!! Rabbath is a beast. Thanks for the suggestion.
[/quote]

You won't regret it. Wish i'd found him when i first tried (and failed) to bow. He's so encouraging.

What i love about the guy is that he questions everything and has a rational answer for why it's best to do stuff in particular ways. A lot of music teaching is 'that's the way you do it because that's the way it's always been done' etc, and I'm no good with that.

[Reuben Javier Phoenix]

[quote name='MandShef' timestamp='1362586330' post='2001734']
The best description I heard for it was to reach out your bow hand as if to grab a drawer handle, then pull it towards you (open the drawer) and away (closing the drawer). The way you hold your bow should feel like this i.e. fingers down and over, not gripping too tight, wrist relaxed and loose! Hope this helps? If you do a google search there are quite a lot of video tutorials that may be better as there'll be visuals for you.
[/quote]
Yeah that's a cool way to look at it! Thanks.

[BigLicks67]

I notice the guy in the video is stood while bowing, is it not more typical to be seated while playing in this style or does it not matter?

[oggiesnr]

Doesn't seem to matter, I stand, my teacher sits, not a problem.

Steve

[Reuben Javier Phoenix]

Think I may have solved it by practising the bow hold while watching TV.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_h2LdM2ssg this one helped quite a bit.

[fatback]

[quote name='BigLicks67' timestamp='1362650021' post='2002609']
I notice the guy in the video is stood while bowing, is it not more typical to be seated while playing in this style or does it not matter?
[/quote]

Just found this.

http://doublebassblog.org/2008/05/standing-versus-sitting-for-the-double-bassist.html

Generally a very good blog too.