Double Bass Holding French Bow Downwards While Pizzing

[Don Kasper]

When I'm layin' down time I use a side of the finger, Ron Carter style pizz, which I would never use in orchestra. When doing a delicate ballad with very few notes, I will pull upwards, way up on the fingerboard, with my Donald Trump finger. I was once made fun of by a singer because of how high I lifted my arm when doing this. I told her she needed to meet a man who knew how to follow through.

Bam!
I thought Oktoberfest ended last month?
Best robobass post, evah!

 

[damonsmith]

With due respect Mr. Garber, experience doesn't count if you still have mis-information. If we want to get into pulling rank we only need to look up the Berlin or Vienna Phil on Youtube and compare it with some of the great jazz pizz players like Mingus, Wilbur Ware, Dave Holland and Peter Kowald.

Basic Jazz pizz uses the weight of the arm, trying to get the top of the bass move and give a percussive thump as well as a big sustain and resonant sound meant to get over the sound of a drum kit.
Amplified bass calls for even more different pizz techniques, many related to the bass guitar with sustain still being a primary goal in the basic state.

Basic orchestra pizz has to do with not over-powering the other strings as well and blending with the far less resonant pizz of the other strings. A fat resonant sound on the bottom isn't going to find unity with plucky violins.

Two completely different aims call for completely different approaches. Certainly, there are new music compositions that call for jazz techniques but the pizz for a Strauss waltz should have a different sound than a jazz trio.

I knew a 'cellist who had cataloged over 100 pizzicato techniques for the 'cello.
There are MANY different pizz techniques and the basic jazz and classical version most certainly have huge differences.

Lastly, tucking the French bow into your ring and pinky fingers with the bow pointing up is probably the best way. Just work on it until it works.