Double Bass German or French?

[Hemispheres85]

If you quote me, then make statements, logically who am I to assume they are directed at?

I have a german bow, I rarely play it simply because I spend my time playing french, which so far suits all my needs. Therefore I am asking players with extensive use in german bow. Since you are the master at both, perhaps you could then answer my original question?[/QUOTE\

I did not say I'm a master at anything- I suggested figuring things out for yourself.

If your original question is "What if you get into the more exotic arco technique, like renaud garcias "machine gun" bowing, which heavily uses the wrist, could you do that with a german bow?"

Then the answer would be yes. I don't know of anything you absolutely cannot do with a german bow than you can do with a french bow and visa-versa. I do not play german bow but I've had conversations with several experienced professionals in major symphonies that do.

Renaud Garcias is a Rabbath-ite and considering there are few players that play in the same style (arco latin-jazz fusion stuff), it's not surprising to see there are no known German bow players doing this.

 

[Brad Maestas]

You should really be able to sit AND stand and it is perfectly possible to play both bows in both positions.

For almost the entire history of the French bass bow, players (like Bottesini!) have played relaxed and without bend endpins. I would recommend learning without one and then if, after a few years of serious playing, it simply does not work, try the bend endpin.

Agreed. I recently listened to a three-part Rabbath interview by Jason Heath at contrabassconversations.com and Rabbath explains his bent-endpin revelation in great detail. According to him, it had little to do with the bowing hand and more to do with the left hand and eliminating any weight that it had to contend with.

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To answer the OP's query, I also think that either one is adequate. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. That's why I now play both. I started out on German simply because that's what Misha Krutz at KC Strings used. He gave me my first real lesson at the shop many years ago when it had just opened. I had several instructors after that and they all happened to play German. Then I studied with Larry Rice at the University of Kansas and he introduced me to the Vance/Rabbath method with the French bow. It definitely took my muscles a while to get used to the overhand grip but we proceeded very gradually and I never strained myself.

I kind of hit a lull with arco when I moved to the city since I was working sound so much and when I did start playing again, I was mainly playing classical guitar, electric bass or, when I did play DB it was only pizz. I continued to do long tones as often as I could though and when I started getting serious about arco again about a year ago, it was nice to not be totally rusty. I sold my German bow some years ago but recently began borrowing one. I am putting in an order for one of the Brazilwood Upton bows here in a few days. Being a multi-instrumentalist, I think it's a great thing to be able to use either when the music calls for it. Generally, I use German for orchestra/large ensembles and French for solo/jazz/small ensembles.

 

[uprightbass.com]

Im just starting upright. Are there any advantages/disadvantages between bow types? I play jazz if it helps

It's not a big enough difference to worry about. In my undergrad studies, I played exclusively German because that's what the bass professor played. I switched to French later because I had a different professor. Took about 2 weeks to fully transition. There really isn't much of a difference except the turn of the wrist. The concept and mechanics are the same if you're doing it right. Just go with whatever the teacher primarily uses.

 

[uprightbass.com]

From what I hear, the general consensus is that french will allow you a little more nuance in your application and tone whereas the german bow is far easier for complicated bowing techniques commonly used in orchestras. I haven't spent significant time with a german bow so I cannot attest to this myself.

This is a understanding that has been perpetuated by students and non-bass string teachers who don't understand that the mechanics of drawing a bow doesn't change just because you hold it differently.