Bow options to compensate for disability

padmavyuha · #1 08-27-2009, 02:36 AM

Being new to this game, I don't know whether this is a ridiculous question or not...

I'm missing a few muscles in my right shoulder/arm and the arm's a little shorter than the left. I tried French and German bows in a shop recently, and what I found is:

French bow - hard to grip, easier to play with at the tip end, less stretch needed

German bow - easy to grip, harder to play with at the tip end, too much stretch needed

(The 'harder/easier to play with at the tip end' thing stems from lack of the normal muscles to apply pressure with.) So I'm wondering: can one get extra long German bows easily? And does the end weight vary a lot? I have this idea that the ideal bow for me would be a German (for the grip), with a heavier tip end (for help with bowing at that end? would that actually help?) and longer than usual (to overcome my lack of reach).

This is where you bowers come in - does any of this sound like it makes sense to you, or am I missing the point with bow design? I'm about to start lessons, but the teacher I've found is a jazzo who doesn't use bow much anyway, so he's not going to be much help here. I am keen to bow to the extent of my ability, so I need to get myself a bow that will compensate best for my disability. If a custom bow is going to be the only answer, I have an archetier friend in Ireland who might cut me a deal...

Comments?

JtheJazzMan · #2 08-27-2009, 03:29 AM

Its natural to have difficulty with a french grip, it takes a long time to develop your own grip and be comfortable with it.

I dont think you want a heavy tip, it will just be too hard to control.

You may want to check out the Art Of The Bow DVD by rabbath, a bit aspect of his playing style is putting the bass into a more horizontal position so you can use the weight of your arm to apply pressure to the strings, rather than muscles.

With a french bow, your fingers will have enough trouble getting used to transferring the weight of your arm through the bow, you dont need a heavy bow making it harder for you.

Andrew McGregor · #3 08-27-2009, 03:47 AM

A longer German bow will only be harder to use correctly.

I think what you're going to need is a French bow, because your reach is reduced by about the length of your hand by a German bow.

Phil Smith · #4 08-27-2009, 11:09 AM

Don't blame your disability for lack of skill that you have yet to acquire. Everyone has trouble with arco when beginning no matter what the bow hold is. I play french bow, but can manage playing a german bow with the appropriate grip and get pretty much the same sound.

padmavyuha · #5 08-28-2009, 12:17 AM

Thanks for the advice. The issue is that I'm also missing muscles in my right hand, so with a French bow where the control comes mainly through the fingers and back of the hand it's quite painful; this is not the case with the German bow, which is using different sets of hand muscles. It may be that I can develop the muscles I have got to the point where a French bow will be comfortable to use. This is a separate issue from the basic 'i can't play yet so it's awkward' one (though I do accept that some of what's going on may be your basic n00b discomfort factor).

I'm going to a shop in Glasgow today to try some out and get some hands-on advice.

Andrew McGregor · #6 08-28-2009, 12:36 AM

Right, so that makes sense.

So what you really need most of all is a really good classical teacher who is really in touch with the ergonomics of the bow.

SamuelHarris · #7 08-28-2009, 12:42 AM

It should be the weight of your arm and not the muscles in your arm that produce the pressure of the bow on the strings. It is in gripping the bow that muscles are needed (i.e. in your hand and forearm). if the german bow gave you the easier grip I would say go with that.

And remember if you use a slower bowing speed you can get away with less bow length i.e. you don't have to go all the way to the tip before changing bow stroke.

Also if you're looking for advice and the teacher you're interested in doesn't use the bow much then maybe you should ask a classical player to help you out.

CPike · #8 08-28-2009, 11:59 AM

Are any of your missing hand muscles related to your thumb? If so, then German may not be the best choice. All of the arm weight is focused through the thumb with a German bow, as well as most nuances of articulation. With a French bow the weight is focused through the index finger.

Chris

padmavyuha · #9 08-30-2009, 03:56 PM

Yes, I'm missing a muscle or two in the thumb, as well as a number in the palm/fingers and the forearm that control the fingers in some directions. But I've gone for a French bow - it seems to me on the balance that the strain on my hand with the French bow is less than the more overall strain on my arm and shoulder using the German one. Plus I just seem to get more control with a French one, even as a newcomer. My grip will probably be unorthodox, but then orthodoxy has never been my thing.

marvin spangles · #10 09-01-2009, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by padmavyuha

, so with a French bow where the control comes mainly through the fingers and back of the hand it's quite painful; this is not the case with the German bow,

One of the key factors of the French Bow hold is to have no tension in the bow hand. If you have enough muscle to form a relaxed 'grip' then there should be no pain. Pain is usually a result of doing something wrong. I use a variation of the French Bow Hold where I place my thumb in the frog instead of the stick. (Italian Bow hold) this makes for a more stable grip where the weight seems more naturally to fall on the index finger. I constantly examine and reexamine my bow hold. I also use a mirror to monitor by bowing trying to be conscious about being relaxed. You should have a look at the Youtube videos entitled Andrew Anderson teaches Bass. He gives a good explanation of this type of Bow hold. I hope this helps.