I was wondering,


After I have been playing with the bow for a while, my wrists really get sore. Also my hand turns red and my veins tend to show a little more. I doesn't affect me while I am playing so much, but after. It also bothers my work because I am right-handed. Does anyone know how I can make the pain stop or even lessen it? Let me know

The sore one.
Bassy18

What kind of bow?
Do you have a teacher?

Yes I do have a teacher. I am in a concert band, and we have our director. I use a french bow.

First I'll steer you to my Double Bass Links Page - http://www.urbbob.com/basslink.html and suggest you look under the Musicians Health section, which has some musician-specific sites that center on concerns like you describe.

Second I'll ask if your teacher has been consulted about this-- and I'm assuming you have a teacher who is a bass, or at least, string specialist, not a general music teacher (director). Someone knowledgeable needs to look at your technique- it sounds like you're working far too hard at arco or doing something wrong- it shouldn't be that much of a strain!

I found myself unable to accommodate even the finest French grip bow, and I always ended up aching. I switched to German. My personality improved.

Originally posted by Don Higdon
I found myself unable to accommodate even the finest French grip bow, and I always ended up aching. I switched to German. My personality improved.

Absolute Ditto!! Unfortunately, here in the culture bastion Oklahoma City, there is not a single bass teacher (at least one who is decent) who plays German bow primarily. I make do with a good teacher who knows some about German bow....:(

Monte

Originally posted by Don Higdon
I found myself unable to accommodate even the finest French grip bow, and I always ended up aching. I switched to German. My personality improved.

So that explains it. I changed from German to French bow when I started noticing shoulder pain. The pain left my shoulder but now I'm just a pain in the ass.

Mark

I've spoken to a number of bass players that were good with the Stick'O Pain and played French. Almost without exception they said that if they had it to do over again, knowing what they know, 'would they start on French again', and 'nope' was the answer. I started on German and have decided to stay -- after about 4 mos. of trying to get the French bow together.

Another opinion that seems universal is that the minuses of German contrasted with French can be overcome, where you can never really get French up to where you have the power/stamina/lack of physical ailments that German offers.

I've got two words for anyone who says you can't get around with a German bow: Gary Karr.
On the other hand, Karr thinks you should have experience with both.

Am I to understand that a German bow can cause physical ailments in the sholder?

I noticed after a long practice the back side of my sholder will hurt a little.

Thanks guys,

But you know what. Who needs a bow? I am gonna just stick to jazz, and how often does jazz music have arco written on it. Twice that I can think of. I will just pizz till my finger gets a big blister, and all the nerve endings die and then I will ask about that.

Ok I am done. I am gonna ask my teacher and see what he says. I may try the German bow. Keep going with the advice if you have any.

Thanks
owwy18

Originally posted by bassy18
Thanks guys,

But you know what. Who needs a bow? I am gonna just stick to jazz, and how often does jazz music have arco written on it

2 words
Sounds Like Slam Stewart
oh wait yea Slam Stewart: jazz w/bow
Mike Moore: Jazz w/bow
Rufus Reid: Jazz w/bow
Ray Brown and his Superbass clan: jazz w/bow

I started the same way wanted to play mostly jazz but now that bow is in hand I can't stop using it.

Originally posted by Don Higdon
My personality improved.

You'd have never known.


:D :D :D

But you know what. Who needs a bow?

It wouldn't be too savvy to dismiss the bow. It's part of the instrument -- essential for getting your intonation together.

I have experinced a lot of pain, I had tendonitis in the past, is very important to stretch, stretch your fingers hold'em for about 20 seconds, there is a lot of tension in our hands that need to be released, you could also visit a chiropractor, I had my wrist and every bone in my hand checked and that a big relief, my chiropractor even showed me few things that I can do on my own, also if you feel any pain try to soak your hand in cold water and stop playing, when the pain is gone you can do the stretches, what helps a lot is to strech under warm water, good luck, take good care of your hands now, there is still time.

Originally posted by bassy18
Thanks guys,

But you know what. Who needs a bow? I am gonna just stick to jazz, and how often does jazz music have arco written on it.

You have alot to learn about bass.
You have alot to learn about jazz.

I wouldn't necessarily stretch without guidance either. If you're experiencing pain (other than cramps, for which the French bow is famous), see a doctor. I found that when I was dealing with my tendonitis that stretching did me no good at all as my connective tissue is on the long side (the doc, of course, had some kind of intractable term for this) and stretching would only aggravate things.

Hey you guys,

When I said who needs to play with the bow for jazz I was actually joking. I realize that it is needed that is why I am asking for help. It is like saying, who needs air, I don't need air. I was just screaming in distress.

Also the cold water thing does help. I have done it a few times, but there was a few times that nothing would help. Like my fingers swell and get all hot and the cold water didn't even help. Thanks for all of your help.

What I don't understand is this. I play the drums as well, and that doesn't affect it(my wrist/hand). I figure that may have something to do with it, but I don't think it does.