Double Bass Bow Technique advice needed

[Pete Glass]

Hi all, I hope that someone can offer some advise.

I'm an electric bass player of too many years that has started using an electric upright a little while ago, and just recently started using a bow (french grip) on a couple of songs.

I am having issues with supporting the bow. Everything I have seen says that I should use a loose grip and let gravity provide the pressure on the strings. However, I tend to hold the bass pretty upright (partly due to a dodgy shoulder needing a comfortable left hand position, and partly because I want to see the fingerboard at times) and so gravity is just taking the bow to the floor, not into the instrument, resulting in having to put what I believe is too much pressure into the instrument and some discomfort supporting the weight of the bow. I seem to be getting a nice enough sound and it feels smooth enough, but I'm sure it should feel like less effort.

Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[David Potts]

This is lifted from one of my earlier responses -

"Look back at two threads by Enzo (07-16-2011) and Andy Mopley (09-30-2011) where this topic was discussed. The Andy Anderson videos are good value too.

IMO a cupped hand with bent fingers and thumb are essential for a relaxed sensitive hand and bow hold. The distance between your thumb and index finger is also fairly critical and is a balancing act between having too much leverage by stretching out too far (which causes the cramping, tiredness and pain in the vee between the thumb and forefinger, and base of thumb) and not having enough leverage (you work like a dog and cause the same stiffness and pain)."

The bow rotates in all directions around where your thumb is placed. Your pinkie and index finger form a triangle with the thumb that controls this rotation. Collectively your four fingers push the bow gently towards the thumb that pushes back in the opposite direction. The thumb is the fulcrum, the index finger is the lever and the work done is further out on the bow. However, the index finger hooks over the stick (not around it, please) and has a second function - with the thumb still the fulcrum it lifts or drops the other end of the bow stick (the point) to maintain drawing the bow backwards and forwards at 90 degrees to each string (for best tone).

As you stand to play, and without the bow in your hand, let your arm hang long and loose by your side with natural alignment of wrist and forearm - think of a dotted line of power from your forefinger up your arm to your shoulder and no "crane muscles" taking your arm away from resting on the strings though the bow. Your relaxed hand will be naturally cupped and your thumb will be slightly bent. Then put the bow into the equation - take your bow hold and rest the bow on the strings at 90 degrees, looking again for that natural line from the end of your index finger to shoulder. The angle between the side of your index finger and the bow stick should perhaps be something like 100-105 degrees.Your arm is still not hanging vertically so there is some weight to rest on the strings. Pick up your back three fingers and you will feel the index finger and thumb combining to "hook" the weight onto the string. If you need extra weight add it by tightening muscles under your arm in your chest rather than feeling that you must press with your index finger. The bow hold should only be strong enough to not collapse under weight.

I feel that I am cupping the bow in my hand and especially feel this when playing around with the German bow hold. I do not let the vertical effect of weight interfere with the freedom to draw the bow horizontally. I have said more on this than the above in earlier posts to describe how my bow arm can move freely.

Enough for now. Best wishes, DP

 

[Pete Glass]

David,

Thanks very much for the reply. I've only had a chance to have a short practice since reading it, but seems to feel quite a bit more comfortable straight away. I will continue to experiment with the finger and arm positioning to perfect.

Thanks as well for the previous threads, I will have a look at them now.

Yours,

Pete