I've almost been a German player for all the time I've played DB. But I have dabbled with French before, I just find German to be more natural for me. So, the question is. Which bow do you use or are you a switch hitter?
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Double Bass French or German? Choose Your Weapon
- Thread starter BassmanI
- Start date
French. I find it much easier to manipulate in general. And I think it's a much more sensible idea if you play a five string bass like I do. I'm always amazed when people say that it's easier to play louder with a German bow - nothing changes when you pick up a different stick, the weight of your arm and your muscles are constant... Easier to relax, maybe, for some people.
I play french currently. However, I have tried a German style grip and it feels more natural to me. I'm interested in switching, but not entirely sure. I guess I'm a switch hitter 
I've played both, and right now I prefer French. I think it's harder to achieve a relaxed grip on the French bow, but once you do, it's much easier to get more delicate articulation. And it's better for basses with a bridge rake that's more set-up for pizzicato playing.
I also believe that if you're bowing Spirocores, the French bow works better.
I also believe that if you're bowing Spirocores, the French bow works better.
French feels more natural for me, although I dabble in German once a year after watching somebody use a German bow...most around here play German.
Prior to joining high school symphony in 1968, I had broken my right wrist in required PE thus my change to symphony.
I was heart broken when I could not use the French bow, because the downward pressure cause too much pain to my healing wrist.
So our conductor supplied me with a German bow...I COULD INSTANTLY PLAY!!
I was heart broken when I could not use the French bow, because the downward pressure cause too much pain to my healing wrist.
So our conductor supplied me with a German bow...I COULD INSTANTLY PLAY!!
I started on French, then went to German because I was having hand issues and my instructor used German. I tried that for a while, but preferred the overall feel of French and went back. I changed instructors and my new one straightened out a lot of my bow hold technique and so I have much fewer issues with French.
IMO, I like the way French can allow the smaller hand muscles to manipulate the bow for subtle articulation changes.
IMO, I like the way French can allow the smaller hand muscles to manipulate the bow for subtle articulation changes.
MAnnnn I am beginner I got a good GB but seems like almost every body prefer FB!!! should I give it a test drive to an Frenchy 
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MAnnnn I am beginner I got a good GB but seems like almost every body prefer FB!!! should I give it a test drive to an Frenchy
Try both and see what works for you. Whatever you do, make sure your isntructor is well-versed in the particular style of bow you want to use. My bow playing suffered at first because my first instructor was more versed in German while I was trying French. My current instructor is a French player and my technique feels much better.
You gotta find a teacher that specializes in the type of bow you use. That's one of the first questions I ask when considering a new teacher...
I pulled my German bow out to goof around a little and it doesn't seem so foreign to me. I'll need to work on my E string a little since I can't seem to get the bow around as well. That's just a matter of learning how to rotate the bass a bit. I still prefer French, but I think I'm going to keep the German to develop some proficiency.
I had a conversion myself. I pulled my French bow out of the bullpen today and my teacher and I liked the results of better clarity and articulation. It'll take me a little while before the muscles in my hand get used to the technique, but I'm liking the French bow now.
I have always played French. That said, I've thought about picking up a German because it looks like it may lend itself better to going between bowing and plucking.
I don't think so. I'm a lifelong German bower, and I know my French bow section mates have a much easier time switching between pizz and arco. You can try it yourself; just hold your bow German style and compare the arm motions involved in switching.
My only thought was that with a German frog, you could hold the bow completely with say ring and pinky finger (wrapping around the frog and gripping against the palm), leaving pointer and the bird for plucking, whereas with french, you're pretty much relying on clamping between fingers and thumb, leaving nothing free.
That said, I've never so much as picked up a German bow, so I could very well be talking out of my ass....
I learned cello before bass, so it seemed like the simplest thing to stick with French. I've never tried German.
