French bow grip

There are a number of things to consider when developing your grip. Have you checked-out Andrew Anderson's videos? Here is a link that may assist you.

Andrew Anderson Teaches the Double Bass - Part 2 - YouTube

 

Don't think "grip", think "hold".

 

2. Put the bow between your right thumb and middle finger. He tip of your thumb should touch the stick next to the frog, with your middle finger extended to the ferrule

3.place the rest of your fingers on the frog and make sure your thumb is curved

Got this out of my book that I learne how to play some of the notes from but I tweeked it a little bit
Hope this helps!

 

Also don't hold it in a death grip

 

Try German...

 

Sometimes, it is what you feel confortable with (rather than what a teacher might tell you) but also remember that it takes time to get the idea of the "right" hold so experiment with both until you are satisfied!!

Also see here http://adventitiouscerebration.blogspot.com.au/2008/11/french-or-german-teil-zwei.html

 

Uh...with all due respect, I would recommend not deviating from what your teacher shows you- unless the teacher has give you permission and is overseeing what you are doing. Learning a bow hold is not rocket surgery, but it can take a while before if feels natural.

Your teacher should be teaching you a "correct" bow hold, and there are more than one to be sure- but taking matters into your own hands (so to speak) will most likely only end up wasting time for both you and your teacher- and could well leave you with a bunch of bad habits to unlearn.

Your teacher is there to help you learn- and to help you avoid pitfalls- be patient and mindfully do what he or she says and you will learn a lot faster! Sometimes things can seem tedious, or feel a little awkward- again: PATIENCE and MINDFULNESS.

Eventully the bow will "disappear" into your hand and arm, and become a musical extension of your body.

BTW- IMO That Andrew Anderson link should be required viewing for ANYONE and EVERYONE who aspires to play arco.

Respectfully,

Joe

 

Spot on, thanks for correcting me.