yita music german bow problem

[Samuel Liu]

Hello everyone!

I am an amateur jazz player and getting start to bowing.

I got a problem with my recent purchase Yita music german Bow. It's a "highest quality brazilian german bow".

The problem is, it is difficult to bow no matter how much rosin I applied. I have tried 3 rosins: Pirastro, Pops and Carlsson.

Comparing to this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNBeZ8suk7M

My D, A and E seems very difficult to sound focus. Always has annoying fuzz sound and most of the time, muted. It has been for a month, it should be abnormal.

I have Thomastik spirocore weich on my bass. Is it because of the string? Or the hair of Bow?

I asked Yita, they said it is a rare case and asked me to send it back for refund or replacement. But I will have to worry about what will be the shipping charge.

Any similar experience or comment will be appreciated, thanks!

regards

[JtheJazzMan]

Too much rosin can be a problem, soft rosin especially. Its usually not so noticeable when your down in the low end of the neck, but an over-rosined bow can sound rather nasty as you get up in thumb position on spiros.

Another thing may be just technique. Is the bow perpendicular to the strings? Have you tried experimenting with bow placement for any given note (ie how far or close to the bridge). How hard are you pressing the bow onto the strings?

Finally it may be the hair, Im not sure how much you paid for the bow but lower end bows arent usually equipped with the finest horse hair.

A good teacher should be able to spot these problems in a few minutes.

Theres really a ton of variables, both technique and equipment.

[Samuel Liu]

Thanks for your comment.

The G string(obligato) seems easier to bow. A and E is more difficult.

I have been practicing looking at the mirror for a while. I think my bowing movement is not far from textbook. I have tried many angles or hair tightness to get a decent sound, but still can't make it happen.

I have a teacher last year for a few classes, I did not find this problem with her bow.

Maybe I should pay a visit to violin store to try other basses.

Thanks.

[Valis]

I have the same bow, a brazilwood Yita... but the french version, and for the price it's very good.
I started bowing not long ago myself, but my teacher tried it and he was impressed considering how much I paid for it.
When I started bowing my instrument would "resist" a bit (with spirocore mittel strings)... but never to the point where I'd get a muted sound.

So to me it sounds like a simple technique problem... Just work on it with an experienced double bassist. Learning to bow by yourself is the silliest thing you can do.
Every week my teacher corrects my posture a little bit... elbow, shoulder or wrist... and it changes EVERYTHING.

[SLivinghouse]

Two issues are more likely than the bow.
1) Your technique, get a teacher - bow angle is usually the cause of scratchy sound. At least look at Andrew Anderson or Basius Youtube video series. But still teacher is better. I took an hour lesson a week ago with the Principal bassit of the Sacramento Symphony and my playing improved more in the last week than it had in months of practicing with poor technique. Money very well spent.
2) Spirocores are not the easiest to bow even if you know what you are doing. Go through the string section and look for "hybrid" string threads. Obligatos are probably a better choice. Or Corellis or EPs.

Also, look through the Orchestra technique section of TB.
Steve

[Andrew McGregor]

Spiro Weichs are not easy to bow... but they can be successfully bowed, and can sound great. If, and only if, your technique is spot on. So, that's the problem.

Experiment with bow weight, speed and position on the string; you have to be precise with spiros, there's a tiny slot you have to play through. And, it depends on your bow. If you can do it, though, you have conquered the bow.

However, do get someone else to have a go with your bass and bow; there might be something wrong with the bow hair, or with the bass setup, that is making it hard.

[Samuel Liu]

Thank you for all the tips and recommendation! You guys are helpful~

[JtheJazzMan]

There is a temptation to just ditch the spirocores, but you just have to understand theyre a "you get out what you put in" kind of string. A fine bow will make them sound great, and you can get a large range of timbres out of the string.

Check out edicson ruiz on youtube, hes a classical soloist, spiro user. These strings work for everybody.

In time, you may want to change to another string if you think the spiros arent the sound youre looking for, but Id recommend holding off buying strings for a year. Trying out different strings to try and solve technique or bow issues is a slippery slope, and an expensive one.