Double Bass German Bowing on the Decline?

[PJSShearer]

In the UK, I would say that just about everyone bows "French" as you call it - in fact I've not heard it called that before - I'm sure in Britain in my youth orchestra days the terms were "Normal" (French) and "Continental" (German).

 

[derob]

In the UK, I would say that just about everyone bows "French" as you call it - in fact I've not heard it called that before - I'm sure in Britain in my youth orchestra days the terms were "Normal" (French) and "Continental" (German).

But you also call cigarettes fags and soccer football.

 

[tstone]

Went to a concert of the San Francisco Youth Symphony a few weeks ago. They had 10 basses, 100% French.

I don't know if this was a coincidence, represents a pedagogical trend, or is a reflection of tendency to have young players start out with French grip and decide later if they want to switch. But 10 out of 10 surprised me.

 

[davidsbass]

i dont think so man. My school has three germans and a french. I mainly play french, but I can switch when necessary.
But yeah, I also think that the german bow hold is a bit more demanding for inexperienced bass players. Not that its harder or anything, just that its easier for someone like a random guitar player or electric bassist to randomly pick up a french bow as opposed to a german bow. Again, Im pretty unbiased. I just think that musicians with a past instrument experience starting the bass will probably tend to play french bow.

 

[PJSShearer]

But you also call cigarettes fags and soccer football.

Quite right too!

 

[jmmcc]

i dont think so man. My school has three germans and a french. I mainly play french, but I can switch when necessary.
But yeah, I also think that the german bow hold is a bit more demanding for inexperienced bass players. Not that its harder or anything, just that its easier for someone like a random guitar player or electric bassist to randomly pick up a french bow as opposed to a german bow. Again, Im pretty unbiased. I just think that musicians with a past instrument experience starting the bass will probably tend to play french bow.

You're probably right, but in my own experience, I remember my first bow lesson, I had an excellent teacher, he explained me both technics and the German bow felt immediately more easy to control and a lot more natural to me. I remember that even the teacher was surprised with how fast I catch it... although i don't play well with the bow because I never practice it much...

 

[Steve Swan]

For the last five years, I have seen stronger interest in German every year as suggested by the local teachers. Most of my clients are students, so it may show up as a shifting demographic in youth and community orchestras in the coming years. It will be interesting to watch how this trend developes over time.

 

[Blakewdm]

So David Moore has the bow that solves everyones problems! Its a hybrid! Lets all go hybrid