New Upright Bassist.

joshuamr · #1 10-10-2009, 04:47 PM

Hello, I have been playing upright bass for about 3 months. (bass guitar for about 10 years). I started learning arco with a german grip, but i just switched to french style(yesterday) for a few different reasons. So my hand is getting fatigued fairly quickly. Im trying to figure out if this is normal or if maybe my grip is a little off. If my grip is off i know its not by much. but we all know sometimes small adjustments make big differences.

MDEbass · #2 10-10-2009, 05:34 PM

Your hand should not be fatigued, regardless of which bow hold you use. You haven't been playing very long, so I assume you bow hold isnt totally developed. It took me two years before it really realized how relaxed the right hand should be. My fingers do absolutely nothing, just my thumb. I play german by the way.

joshuamr · #3 10-10-2009, 09:21 PM

I read a post from one of the teachers here at TB and watched some videos of Edgar Meyer. I think one, my grip is off a little. Also I was using pressure instead of just using the weight of my arm and the bow. I'll just have to keep experimenting and observing experience players. Thanks for the input man.

reedo35 · #4 10-10-2009, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joshuamr

Hello, I have been playing upright bass for about 3 months. (bass guitar for about 10 years). I started learning arco with a german grip, but i just switched to french style(yesterday) for a few different reasons. So my hand is getting fatigued fairly quickly. Im trying to figure out if this is normal or if maybe my grip is a little off. If my grip is off i know its not by much. but we all know sometimes small adjustments make big differences.

Very common problem. You are overgripping. Trust the weight of your arm, you don't need to push into the string. And don't overtighten the bow, make the stick do the work. It's all about relaxing, but I'm sorry to say, you can't learn it from a
you tube video.

Andrew McGregor · #5 10-10-2009, 11:56 PM

Teacher time. Just a few lessons will fix this.

joshuamr · #6 10-11-2009, 11:57 AM

Yea, Thanks guys.

ClassicalBassNY · #7 10-23-2009, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew McGregor

Teacher time. Just a few lessons will fix this.

The bow hand takes the longest to develop. So don't expect it to take place in a few lessons. Is your thumb best. Bend thumb is the single most important aspect of french playing. Also yes of course it is natural to feel fatigue and discomfort, your using new muscles in ways you never have before. Take lots of breaks, injury can result.