Double Bass bow hand - thumb tightness

[davidzgeorge]

hey guys - i periodically get some tightness in the base of my thumb and palm of my right hand when i play. usually it's when i'm playing louder stuff (specifically this week, Beethoven 7 first movement). have any of you experienced a similar sensation and/or have any ideas as to what is causing this and how i can prevent it?

thanks

 

[Cory Palmer]

I'm assuming you're talking about French bow. You are probably squeezing too much with the thumb. Try to put the weight of your arm into the string more. The thumb is mainly there to help balance the stick. It does the same thing that the pinky does on a German bow.

 

[Steve Freides]

I experienced this at the beginning when trying French bowing also - it was one of the reasons I went with German instead.

-S-

 

[sibass89]

You happen to study with two of the best french bow players I have ever heard. Ask them.

 

[Dave Whitla]

You happen to study with two of the best french bow players I have ever heard. Ask them.

+1

A trick you can use to identify the muscles in your thumb/hand that you need to relax more is to deliberately tense them up with the bow in position on the string (usually that means pressing into the stick with your thumb). Then just release the muscles you tensed up.

It can also help to visualize how your weight drops into the string through your bow and hand, and recognize that the thumb is the only part of your hand that is actually pushing the bow OUT of the string.