Playing French and German

[butch1950]

I am right now primairly a French Player, but am noticing more and more that the greats can play both bows, but have a preferance as to which one they call their default. Does it help in the professional orchesteral world to play both bows?

[Eli_Upright12]

Originally Posted by butch1950

I am right now primairly a French Player, but am noticing more and more that the greats can play both bows, but have a preferance as to which one they call their default. Does it help in the professional orchesteral world to play both bows?

I play both and for me it doesnt matter but I'm only in a youth orchestra. It might help because some orchestras prefer one over the other and you would have more options.

[anonymous12251111]

Brad Opland in the Chicago Symphony plays both. Frederick Zimmerman taught both and could play both...There are many players that can double hit.

[jayarroz]

I find the french easier for faster playing and the German easier for long bowing with more pressure. You can hold the German in your palm or like a french bow too. I stuck with French because I had the money to buy one and I found a better deal on it and made it work.

[Andrew McGregor]

My opinion: it certainly can't hurt. Some orchestras seem to have a preference as to what players should use, so it might open up a few more jobs to be able to do both. French doesn't work for me, I get hand problems (anatomical, not technique wise, we managed to prove this), so I don't have the option. German was very unusual here at the time, but it didn't stop me getting work.

[toman]

I think both are fine, and there might be subtle advantages to either. If you can afford to buy (and learn, i.e. two teachers) both, I'd say go for it! Personally I've focused my attention on German bow because the teachers I've studied with most recently have played and taught it. That said, I'd have no objection to and would even pro actively go for the experience of working with a pro on French technique.

I should note; one of the reasons too that I've stuck with German is that I was lucky enough to stumble upon a bow that I absolutely love and that I could afford; a complete fluke. I have yet to find a French bow that is equal (or the $$$) or a teacher who suggests it. If I were to do so, I wouldn't protest!

[damonsmith]

It is pretty much a must if you want to teach seriously, I have better German bows than French and you can play both on German so that is my default bow.
I also think that each bow has their strengths but once I can do something on one I seem to be able to translate it to the other.
It is more about what each one leads you to than what they can or can't do.

[Patton]

I play with both bows, but prefer the German because it is more comfortable. My teacher Mark Morton plays with both bows.