Different way of holding the German Bow.

[The_Orlonater]

I just stumbled upon this video and noticed the way this guy holds his German bow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvPqY...eature=related

Does Anybody have any insight on this?

[anonymous12251111]

Originally Posted by The_Orlonater

I just stumbled upon this video and noticed the way this guy holds his German bow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvPqY...eature=related

Does Anybody have any insight on this?

This seems to be the "Polish" Grip...Though nothing is ever really standardized...It reminds me of Furtok's grip of the thumb facing down. I hold a German bow quite similar to this. It works very well for solo playing where you can have maximum wrist movement/freedom.

[Eli_Upright12]

Originally Posted by Calvin Marks

This seems to be the "Polish" Grip...Though nothing is ever really standardized...It reminds me of Furtok's grip of the thumb facing down. I hold a German bow quite similar to this. It works very well for solo playing where you can have maximum wrist movement/freedom.

and conversely people who switch from that style to thumb parallel to the stick seem to notice having more "power." I play the other way and have tried the polish grip and find that it doesn't feel right for me.

[anonymous12251111]

Originally Posted by Eli_Upright12

and conversely people who switch from that style to thumb parallel to the stick seem to notice having more "power." I play the other way and have tried the polish grip and find that it doesn't feel right for me.

I agree. For solo/belcanto style playing it seems quite necessary to have the wrist free to move (thumb not inhibiting good wrist movement.)

Technically French Bow and German Bow technique is the same, if you have a stiff wrist/arm or tension for either bow hold it will translate into your playing as stiff.

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...5/DSCN0328.jpg

That is how I hold the German bow. That bass player is in the Vienna Conservatory, you can definitely see Streicher's influence in the bow hand...the frog is perhaps shorter as well.

Keep note that in the Viennese style of playing "power" is not really the primary concern. Faster bow speed, more air to the sound is what delivers "weight", not pressure. The wrist free to move (not locked!) is vital for any style of playing or bow.

[mheintz]

Originally Posted by Calvin Marks

The wrist free to move (not locked!) is vital for any style of playing or bow.

Just to clarify (or add my two cents as the case may be), there are many German bow players that use very little movement in the wrist (although they don't "lock" the wrist). For instance, Orin O'Brien and other NY Phil players use very little movement, as does Karr, at least compared to the Streicher folks. As you say, the wrist is not locked, but for such players, the wrist acts as a spring, with much less back and forth than the Streicher folks.

[Eli_Upright12]

Originally Posted by Calvin Marks

I agree. For solo/belcanto style playing it seems quite necessary to have the wrist free to move (thumb not inhibiting good wrist movement.)

Technically French Bow and German Bow technique is the same, if you have a stiff wrist/arm or tension for either bow hold it will translate into your playing as stiff.

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...5/DSCN0328.jpg

That is how I hold the German bow. That bass player is in the Vienna Conservatory, you can definitely see Streicher's influence in the bow hand...the frog is perhaps shorter as well.

Keep note that in the Viennese style of playing "power" is not really the primary concern. Faster bow speed, more air to the sound is what delivers "weight", not pressure. The wrist free to move (not locked!) is vital for any style of playing or bow.

That seems to make sense, for me "power" is part of the equation, I have learned the gary karr style where its all about arm weight and slow bow near the bridge. An important part of this is pulling more with your back and shoulder as opposed to your fingers. Though those do come into play when you are playing fast and also spiccato or staccato. For me I feel as though the thumb helps to transfer the weight of my arm to the string. And seeing as I don't move my elbow or wrist much when I play it seems to work.