A few questions...

[Andy Mopley]

Hi Patrick

1. what's a good practice to stop bow bounce off the strings? (I was reading your reply on Beethoven's 5th in another thread..)
2. I play standing up and I find the DB leaning on me, is it better to have it not lean on the body, at a slight angle?
3. Is there a general rule around when to start on an up bow and when on a down bow. apart from watching the section leader and / or have it already written in score?

Thank you!

 

[PNeher]

Read below, within quote of your qestions:

Hi Patrick

1. what's a good practice to stop bow bounce off the strings? (I was reading your reply on Beethoven's 5th in another thread..)

It is about even weight distribution as you pull the bow in both directions. It really helps to have a private teacher observe and help you with this. A mirror is also a great help for your own perspective. Basically, you need to maintain weight on the bow as you draw it down-bow. For both German and French holds this means a slight torquing of the arm, towards the tip. See my vids to get an idea (PNeher on YouTube).

2. I play standing up and I find the DB leaning on me, is it better to have it not lean on the body, at a slight angle?

This is a personal choice. Gary Karr holds the bass pretty much straight up and down, I have a great angle, as if sitting. What is important is that you maintain even weight on the bow (if desired) and the angle of the bass to your body does make a difference in how even the weight is distributed on the bow. If you are changing the bass angle, you change the weight on the bow. This does NOT mean you have to be static, it just means you must be AWARE of angle changes and what that does to both hands' positioning and approach.

3. Is there a general rule around when to start on an up bow and when on a down bow. apart from watching the section leader and / or have it already written in score?

No, there are no general rules about this, only physical logistics. Up tends to cresc and have a weaker attack on unskilled players. Down tends to be heavier and crunchier, with a dim., again with unskilled players. A "leading" stroke usually is up, a down-beat stroke is often down.


Thank you!

CIAO!
PN