trying out french bows?

pao_bass · #1 01-07-2007, 02:22 AM

guys, look, I've been playing double bass for about 3 years now using a german bow. I'm a bit curious regarding trying to learn also to play using the french bow. Do you guys think that I can give it a try and satisfy my curiosity? or should I stick with just using the german bow?
can learning to play with the french bow make me more versatile or learn some added stuff

p.s..

more or less how long will it take for me to be used to playing with the frenchie at my level? (more or less dragonetti, eccles, storch-hrabe level)

thanks

annoushkha · #2 01-07-2007, 02:37 AM

i think that's awesome. lots of people switch to the dark side after playing french for a while but it's great that you're doing the opposite. i think you should definitely have a go using french bow. I find french much subtler, and i find personally i can get a sweeter sound from french (that might just be my bows though). i know lots of people who have switched from french to german due to back and shoulder problems though, so if those are an issue with german already you might want to reconsider french. good luck!

billyfalconer · #3 01-07-2007, 07:50 AM

Definitely, experiment. It's especially good if you'll be teaching some day.

natselection · #4 02-18-2007, 07:27 PM

i'm actually a french player for 5-6 years and i'm thinking of switching to german due to shoulder issues. experiment, go for it! i would get an upton bow to mess around with

fryBASS · #5 02-18-2007, 09:06 PM

Go for it man. I've used both, and I think I've been hooked to the French bow.

bassist1962 · #6 02-19-2007, 06:34 AM

Nothing wrong with expanding your horizons. Even if you end up using it only once in awhile, it is another tool for you to use if needed.

Ale · #7 02-19-2007, 06:41 AM

Ive always prefered the sound of the French bow , i dont know why but i seems softer to me.
Though make sure you really check out some good french bow technique , because the french playing can hurt a little in the beginning.
Like "natselection" said , its pretty common with injuries and shoulder/muscle pain when playing the french b . Even players who studied the technique a lot can have problems from time to time.

fryBASS · #8 02-19-2007, 09:10 AM

Yeah, it'll take a while to get use to the playing possision of the French bow compared to the German. I use to grab the French bow more German-style, but I've recently got myself to hold it the right way, and it's much better.

Eli_Upright12 · #9 03-24-2007, 09:18 PM

I played german for the first 2 years of my bass playing before i got serious, and then switched when at my teachers suggestion and it has allowed me to make leaps and bounds in the last 4 years, French tends to me more easily controlled and articulate notes with . But i have also seen some incredible players who use German its all about what your comfortable with and what you can advance the most with

Zwelakhe-Duma · #10 03-26-2007, 07:33 PM

i myself play french bow since i previously played celli in my youth. i have used a german bow and i will say it seems very comfortable and more at ease to learn, granted sound perjection is easy. as that being said, i feel french bow takes a bit more elegance, for getting a good bow grip may take more time and practice than a german does. all in all this is just my take, all that matters is that your playing.
cheers

BassBot · #11 03-27-2007, 02:53 PM

I'm in the same boat. I started on a German bow, because I could get such a deeper sound from it. But then I began studying with a teacher who only taught French bow. Now I actually prefer French. I like the control the French bow gives me. Also, if you're good with a French bow, it's a bit easier if you'd like to play cello some time.