Double Bass Bowing tied notes

[Andy Mopley]

Hi all

trying to better my technique at this...Using the attached example, is it advisable in playing the fourth note of each group to draw the bow up to the frog in order to slur the other notes with ease? If so, do you play the first three notes using the tip of the bow? Are there any other tips that can help to make the passage clear, at moderato speed?

Thank you!

 

[avantflow]

I like to use the tip of the bow a lot but only if it's pianissimo. I would make the third slurred(tied) note a bit shorter so you can then up bow. During the fourth separated note I would at same time play the note and move (fast) to the frog. where is the excerpt from?
from what I have learned you must many times cheat to play trough the passage - play a little diffrent than its written and try to get an agreeable interpretation.

 

[David Potts]

Andy, stay in the lower half of the bow but not too close to the frog. Start by using only one note and at a slower tempo. Play dotted rythm and study how to use the same length of bow on the 1/16th note as the dotted 1/8th. For me the longer note is made slower and slightly heavier than the faster, lighter short note. Then balance these lengths against going on into even 1/8th notes. Shorten all bow lengths as you get faster, up to performance speed. Then add in the actual notes, bar by bar and repeating bars often, aiming for clear articulation.

Look down at the bow and string movements and listen carefully to monitor your results. Have a clear mental picture of how you want the passage to sound and make your hands produce it. Lots of experimenting!

DP

 

[carl h.]

Much depends on the tempo and if it is solo or section, not to mention dynamics.