Bowing, the final frontier.

[rprowse]

Bottesini called his bow 'Il Devastatore' and for good reason.
Your bow is the nerve centre of your playing. At the end of the day, when you play, it is your sound that people hear. Playing with the bow presents the unamplified bass at its strongest. The bow is a 'store house' of different attacks and its timbre changes throughout the range of the bass... from a low rumble down the bottom to cello like tones near the top.
If there ever was a gift from God (if he exists) to man, it surely was the double bass bow!

[Tritonis]

Indeed.

[rprowse]

After years and years of practising all over the bass, I'm convinced that the hardest place to get a good arco sound is down the bottom. I play German, so the E string always seems to require a bit more effort. I was practising this morning with quite a loose bow and the bass seemed to respond really well down there. Any thoughts on approaching those low notes?

[reedo35]

Taking my cue from Rabbath, The position of the bow should be proportionate to the note that you are playing. Therefore, Lower notes= Closer to the fingerboard, Higher notes = Closer to the bridge. Bow hair tension is also a variable. Personally I like mine just tight enough so that there is about 4mm of space between the hair and the stick at the middle of the camber when I am playing. But I play french, german is a bit different. YMMV.

[rprowse]

Thanks reedo35. Good advice. Just one question, off the topic, did you choose your Talk Bass name because 35 others (including reedo) had already chosen the same name? If so, what is the significance of 'reedo'?

[reedo35]

Actually, you're the first to ask that! Reedo is a nickname my late father used to call me, and 35 is the age I was when I joined Talkbass. 6 Years ago..

Reed Ellenberger

[rprowse]

Originally Posted by reedo35

Actually, you're the first to ask that! Reedo is a nickname my late father used to call me, and 35 is the age I was when I joined Talkbass. 6 Years ago..

Reed Ellenberger

Thanks Reed.
For some unknown reason my late father used to call me Cheena... probably a baby name, but I'm 54 now, so I don't use it much, though some of my brothers still call me that to tease me.
Thanks again for the bowing comments. I think that what you said would apply to my German, which has a slightly different frog... the hair leaves the frog straight and not at an angle.
Good luck with the playing.
Richard Prowse

[Cory Palmer]

Originally Posted by rprowse

After years and years of practising all over the bass, I'm convinced that the hardest place to get a good arco sound is down the bottom. I play German, so the E string always seems to require a bit more effort. I was practising this morning with quite a loose bow and the bass seemed to respond really well down there. Any thoughts on approaching those low notes?

Thicker strings require a slower bow speed. Also, the higher the pitch the longer the bow stroke needs to be. Try playing notes at different octaves and seeing how much bow you need to get the same length.

[rprowse]

Thanks Cory, I'll try that.

[damonsmith]

Originally Posted by rprowse

After years and years of practising all over the bass, I'm convinced that the hardest place to get a good arco sound is down the bottom. I play German, so the E string always seems to require a bit more effort. I was practising this morning with quite a loose bow and the bass seemed to respond really well down there. Any thoughts on approaching those low notes?

I play a a German bow but when I want a nice full sound in the low register I use the French grip. Ditto for when I want a nice light tremelo up high or if want quick switches between pizz and arco.
The rest of the time I use the German grip.

[PB+J]

I'm no wiz with the bow, but I have noticed that once I got an eggpin bowing went from something I made myself do because it's good for me to something I really liked doing. Same with thumb position.

[rprowse]

Originally Posted by PB+J

I'm no wiz with the bow, but I have noticed that once I got an eggpin bowing went from something I made myself do because it's good for me to something I really liked doing. Same with thumb position.

Eggpin? What's that?

It sounds corny, but just doing lots of 'thinking' bowing practice makes it easier and easier. I always start my practice with some type of scale work and, say it's jazz minors day... and I've got them pretty well under my belt, I just think about my bow (or sometimes vibrato). By the time I've finished my scales (15 min.) the bow is generally feeling pretty good.

[reedo35]

Originally Posted by rprowse

Eggpin? What's that?

This is an Eggpin. I have one and I love it! You can angle it to change the position of your bass, much like the Laborie endpin without the invasive drilling of your bass. They are a little pricey though. Try the other advice given here before you make any major changes.

[rprowse]

Well, I'll be!
Thanks Reed, never seen one out here, though I did see s guy with a bent endpin about 18 months ago.
I think I like my endpin being straight.
But, thanks for the info.

[jfv]

As Eddie Murphy would say... "Once you go bent, baby, you
never go back"

I have a Laborie pin, its a personal style, I've heard some
claim not to like it, course some people dont think Natalie
Portman is sexy , so there's no accounting for taste

You like Apple computers, you dont hang with the herd,
you probably would like Laborie

Cheers,

[rprowse]

Originally Posted by jfv

As Eddie Murphy would say... "Once you go bent, baby, you
never go back"

Yeah, but Eddie probably plays French.