Double Bass Newbie Arco question

[chuck1073]

Forgive me if I've posted this in the wrong place. This seemed like the best place to ask about bow technique/problems.

I'm a rank beginner to arco...just working my way thru a very basic book to get started. Not working with a teacher at the moment..but do plan to do so again soon.

My problem is: Working through the exercise I'm on currently, I have to get a good clean/long note on a high A above the octave on the G string. For the life of me I can't seem to get the string "started" or continue on for a slow-tempo whole note without a squeak. I'm using Spirocore Mediums and a German bow with black hair. Pops rosin.

Is it just a matter of more practice and patience? Or am I barking up the wrong tree trying to play the Spiros with the bow up high? I have a set of Helicore Orchestrals on hand...thinking of trying them out...however I do need the Spiros on for my regular jazz/pop gigs...all pizz there.

Thoughts?

 

[Dogbertday]

Try bowing a little closer to the bridge...
when i've had this problem either doing that or putting more weight on either hand than i expected usually solves the problem

the strings shouldn't matter as far as this goes except that some may take a little more effort. For the record i play on helicore orchestrals for bore pizz and arco

 

[Mr.Phil]

Try bowing a little closer to the bridge...
when i've had this problem either doing that or putting more weight on either hand than i expected usually solves the problem

the strings shouldn't matter as far as this goes except that some may take a little more effort. For the record i play on helicore orchestrals for bore pizz and arco

This is pretty much what my teacher told me, and it works. It has something to do with the vibrations of the string, as you climb into the higher positions, you shorten the string length and if you don't drop your bow lower to compensate, the string will squeak and hiss. You should certainly try moving your bow closer to the bridge and applying more pressure.

 

[jfv]

Would you try to pole vault without a teacher? If
you did you'd probably get hurt huh? The bow is
incredibly subtle, bad tones can come for any
number of reasons, position, pressure, motion...

And the worst part of all is that YOU the player
cannot properly judge whats going wrong, you
need the observer to correct you. I had hours
when my french bow teacher was literally holding
my arm and hand to help my body feel the correct
way for the bow to move...

Get a teacher

 

[chuck1073]

Get a teacher

I am planning to go back to the teacher I started out with quite some time ago. Work commitments are getting in the way at the moment .

 

[MonetBass]

It has something to do with the vibrations of the string, as you climb into the higher positions, you shorten the string length and if you don't drop your bow lower to compensate, the string will squeak and hiss. You should certainly try moving your bow closer to the bridge and applying more pressure.

Yes, this is what I was taught. IIRC, if you divide the vibrating part of the string into 8ths, you should always bow on the lowest 1/8th part of the string. In short, bow closer to the bridge for the 2nd octave.

 

[chuck1073]

Thanks to all the posters! Tried playing the same exercise bowing the higher notes closer to the bridge and...voila! Success!

Although I can't have a teacher at the moment...at least I can still ask questions and get some pointers.

It's much appreciated.

 

[Jason Sypher]

Is your bow perfectly perpendicular to the string. You should be able to play that note with your bow throughout the entire range of the string i.e. close to the bridge or close to the fingerboard. Good luck, the bow is a beast...