Double Bass German or French bow?

[damonsmith]

It is pretty much what everyone says, both bows produce great work. The German bow is generally best for people focused on anything but classical playing. The grip is generally easier to manage at first and basics like scales and long tones can be started with a less subtle grip. The French doesn't really work until you develop a proper grip.
Therefore it is easier to get a bassist with jazz aspirations to saw through scales, long tones and Simandl early on.
Each person should pick the bow that either their favorite bassist plays or the bow their teacher uses.
If you are really into Garcia-Fons it is really best to find at minimum a French bow teacher and at best a Rabbath teacher.
If you are into Peter Kowald or Mark Dresser French is just not going to work for you.

 

[SAlcott]

"Unless your conductor really doesn't know what he or she is doing, you don't want to match the concertmaster for the sake of matching the concertmaster. There are too many reasons unique to the double bass to determine bowings based on how the bass works rather than what the shoulder fiddles are doing."

Also, when the conductor asks for more bow when he really means louder, just play louder.

 

[lurk]

I've always taken a contrarian view. To me, French is more powerful. The arm weight is naturally on top of the bow. String crossings are easier; you just kinda roll your wrist. The German is more natural biomechanically, so the basic tone production is easier and so are fast notes. That little bit of extra length is sometimes nice too. Flip a coin.

 

[Reiska]

The french bow makes my hand hurt, but luckily I`m now settled to a german bow and aching back

 

[damonsmith]

The french bow makes my hand hurt, but luckily I`m now settled to a german bow and aching back

It takes time, but that goes away with proper study, but you are correct, it does not seem to be an issue with the German.

I've always taken a contrarian view. To me, French is more powerful. The arm weight is naturally on top of the bow. String crossings are easier; you just kinda roll your wrist. The German is more natural biomechanically, so the basic tone production is easier and so are fast notes. That little bit of extra length is sometimes nice too. Flip a coin.

All true in my experience. I'd like to see anyone who calls the French bow "weaker" produce a stronger tone than Joelle Leandre with any bow!
I feel like you can really bear down on the French to really pull a strong sound. The German gives what it will give easier, but there seems to be only the limit of the player for the French!

 

[T_Bone_TL]

I've been using a French that might even be merely a cello bow. I was given a German bass bow. Both are fiberglass Glassers, nothing special, which is about suitable for where I'm at. Being used to the French, I have found adapting to the German both difficult/awkward and painful. For the time being I hung it up, I'll take another crack at it sometime.

 

[lurk]

One thing about the German I forget to mention. It looks way cooler.

 

[Anton Avis]

One thing about the German I forget to mention. It looks way cooler.

It does. The problem with choosing a bow is aesthetic. I play in orchestras were everyone else uses a French bow. I worry that I look out of place

 

[koricancowboy]

Hello fellow bassists, I am working on a musical investigation, and would really appreciate to hear all of your opinions or any commentaries.

Which would you say, in your own experience, is the best bow position to play with, German or French?

I have heard a few opinions from colleagues and my teacher but unfortunately I am not fully satisfied so I would really appreciate it if you would help me out by spending a little bit of your time sharing your thoughts on this with me.

Thank you all very much.

The correct answer is yes.