Double Bass extremely new player with blatantly poor bowing

[UtBDan]

I've taken 2 lessons, and my teacher insists that my bowing is fine and that it just feels natural with time, but I know something has to be wrong.

This is because after 10, 15 minutes of playing, I can feel my thumb tighten up, and then my whole hand/wrist strains and it hurts to play. I'd practice a lot more if I felt like it wasn't a physically painful endeavor, so even though I know factually my teacher is a very great bassist and a well-known teacher in the area, I was hoping someone could give a couple extra pointers for... well, a more relaxed bowing hand, I guess.

 

[JtheJazzMan]

French bow?

Try letting the bow fall and bounce on the strings. If your wrist is flexible and your fingers are loose then the bow should bounce many times before stopping. If youre tense in any way then it dampens the bow bouncing.

I imagine you are, and yes, it takes time to loosen up. As long as your teacher is ironing out little issues on a regular basis, youll be fine.

When youre starting out, you cant force long practice sessions. You need to be patient and build up to them.

 

[UtBDan]

French bow?

Try letting the bow fall and bounce on the strings. If your wrist is flexible and your fingers are loose then the bow should bounce many times before stopping. If youre tense in any way then it dampens the bow bouncing.

I imagine you are, and yes, it takes time to loosen up. As long as your teacher is ironing out little issues on a regular basis, youll be fine.

When youre starting out, you cant force long practice sessions. You need to be patient and build up to them.

It is indeed a French bow that I'm currently using. Are German bows particularly easier or anything? I'll try the bouncing thing to test looseness next time I go practice.

 

[Phil Smith]

It's all about a more relaxed hand and that only comes with clocking many hours with a bow in your hand. It will happen with time, in the meantime relax your hand.

 

[JtheJazzMan]

Well, everbody has an opinion on that. lol

But if youve already got a french bow and teacher I dont see any reason to worry about changing.

 

[Fletcher Lanning]

I had (and still have to a certain extent) a similar problem. Until your hand builds up the correct muscles and you learn to relax your hand while you play, you will get some pain and won't be able to practice as long. I usually used those times to practice pizz. excercises.

Try holding the bow up with your left hand and hanging your right hand from the frog using your four fingers (not your thumb). Then use that feeling when you hold the bow. It will help keep you from 'gripping' the bow.

 

[mr mastodon]

stick with french. german is like playing with chopsticks (but it sounds more muscular and violent ... no wonder it's called german). argh.

also, hi dan. you ever find that bass?

love,
primusfan

 

[fergus currie]

Hi I had two lessons in Kung Fu and I'm ready for Bruce Lee! Bring him on! HAAAA! After two lessons you can't tell a thing about how naturally you use the bow. Come back after ten or fifteen lessons and tell us if you think your bowing is getting better.
FC

 

[Bill Bentgen]

Hi I had two lessons in Kung Fu and I'm ready for Bruce Lee! Bring him on! HAAAA! After two lessons you can't tell a thing about how naturally you use the bow. Come back after ten or fifteen lessons and tell us if you think your bowing is getting better.
FC

I second that. Better yet, give yourself a year. Watch the Andy Anderson videos.

 

[Square Bear]

It takes time to really figure these things out, sometimes years (even with a great teacher). Looseness is the key, but it can be hard to imagine how to achieve that at first. Be patient and keep practicing. +1 for the Anderson videos, they are really great.

 

[Andrew McGregor]

But do remember that German bow is there... because some people's hands are not made for French, and if your hand geometry won't do it, you just have to change bows to avoid the injuries.

Remember that, but don't jump to conclusions on lesson 2. When you get to 42 lessons, then think about it if the problem is still there. In the mean time, do NOT ignore the pain, it's telling you to have a rest and think about your technique.

German and French bows have equivalent capabilities, you just have different problems to solve to get them all. If you have to switch, you won't be losing anything.

 

[UtBDan]

is it just me, or do the Anderson videos only pertain to a French bow? I think I may make a switch, as I'm not making any progress yet (although it has only been a month, I am spending time with it and its bothering me that there is no progress being made.)

 

[Scott Lynch]

I've taken 2 lessons, and my teacher insists that my bowing is fine and that it just feels natural with time, but I know something has to be wrong.

This is because after 10, 15 minutes of playing, I can feel my thumb tighten up, and then my whole hand/wrist strains and it hurts to play. I'd practice a lot more if I felt like it wasn't a physically painful endeavor, so even though I know factually my teacher is a very great bassist and a well-known teacher in the area, I was hoping someone could give a couple extra pointers for... well, a more relaxed bowing hand, I guess.

It took me a couple of years to really start to feel comfortable with the bow. I play a French bow as well. When I started, I alternated quite a bit between pizz and arco during my sessions - who am I kidding, I still do that! I found that kept me engaged, and gave my left hand a lot of work.