Double Bass Bowing technique question

[Enzo]

When I start to practice, i usually get a good grip on the strings (using a French bow) however I find that as I play, about 20m in, I start to "slide" over the strings, with the inevitable loss of sound. I appreciate that it is hard to comment without seeing it happen but what are some of the watchouts when this happens? Is it a rosin issue (not enough?), a lazy bowing technique, not enough pressure on the strings, all of the above mentioned? Thing is that when I take a 5m break, the cycle seemingly repeats...

 

[jallenbass]

Which rosin are you using?

 

[Contranash]

How old is the hair on the bow?

 

[Anonymatt]

When I start to practice, i usually get a good grip on the strings (using a French bow) however I find that as I play, about 20m in, I start to "slide" over the strings, with the inevitable loss of sound. I appreciate that it is hard to comment without seeing it happen but what are some of the watchouts when this happens? Is it a rosin issue (not enough?), a lazy bowing technique, not enough pressure on the strings, all of the above mentioned? Thing is that when I take a 5m break, the cycle seemingly repeats...

You're saying the bow slides up and down the strings, like, you're getting rosin all up high over the fingerboard and down low towards the bridge even when you don't intend to be playing around there?

I've only been bowing for 9 months or so, and it slowly happened less and less. My teacher was consistent about bringing it up. It was pretty wild at the beginning.

Fatigue, physical and concentration-wise, is definitely a factor.

 

[Enzo]

Which rosin are you using?

Pops

 

[Enzo]

How old is the hair on the bow?

Probaly about 12/18 months but it's probably also about 2-3 mm narrower than the equivalent (in a rehaired bow)

 

[Enzo]

You're saying the bow slides up and down the strings, like, you're getting rosin all up high over the fingerboard and down low towards the bridge even when you don't intend to be playing around there?

Sorry, I should have put it better...the sliding is across the strings, horizontally, not vertically...

I've only been bowing for 9 months or so, and it slowly happened less and less. My teacher was consistent about bringing it up. It was pretty wild at the beginning.

Fatigue, physical and concentration-wise, is definitely a factor.

I think so, we appear to be in the same boat.

 

[gprigge]

Yup, falling apart happens. It happens less often with practice. Try again, with a concentration on keeping the bow at 90º to the strings and enough bow pressure on the strings. I find that when I get tired I drop my bow tip, and don't put enough pressure on the bow.

If crossing strings is a problem, practice slurring across two strings.

When things go completely to heck, even after repeated tries, I call it a day. It's remarkable how much improved I can be the next day. After lots of days, you learn to bow.

 

[David Potts]

Hi Enzo. Do you have a teacher at the moment? What quality of bow do you have? How much did you pay for it, or did it come with the bass? What sort of strings are you using? What sort of bass do you have? Is it set up for jazz or bowing? Does the bow have horse hair or artificial hair? Have you experimented with changing the hair tension up and down a 1/4 turn of the screw at a time?

Answers to these questions will guide the advice that comes back. We need more information. A teacher should quickly spot your problem(s) that may be your kit, your technique or both.

DP