Double Bass Practice without rosin, Possible?

[basshound123]

ok, So I know this is a newbie question, but I've been practicing pizzicato, which is fine, as I now have notes and counting down, but it's no good for slurs/hooks, dynamics, and the overall feel for the piece. I can't run out and get some rosin at the moment, but I really need to practice. Is there some special way to practice Arco (besides shadow bow, I can't practice like that) without any rosin charge on my bow.

Keep in mind I haven't applied rosin in over a month to this particular bow. If it matters it's a German-style bow. thanks for any help provided

 

[Andrew McGregor]

Well, try it. You'll probably find that you can actually draw some sound, and it's a good thing to practice with as little rosin as you can get away with.

 

[Anonymatt]

I do it all the time because my Pops isn't what it used to be and I'm LAZY.

On my synthetic hair Glasser, it almost doesn't matter.

Without rosin, I like to imitate the attack of a flute. I hear that "chuff" or whatever.

Don't use anything as an excuse to not practice with your bow, man!

 

[Edvin]

it should work just fine. I forgot my rosin at the school when i went home for christmas a month. It worked just fine! Feels kind of strange at first but it gets better. Good luck!

 

[Blakewdm]

yeah, you should buy some rosin

 

[kurt muroki]

Great to practice without rosin, but make sure you do not build up tension trying to get the string to speak

 

[irbassist]

yeah, you should buy some rosin

^what he said.

 

[IAmACrocodile]

Well, I am a violinist, not a double bassist (just popped over here from the bass guitar pages), but I very rarely use rosin on my bow - I just don't like the way that it feels underneath my fingers when playing on the higher end of the neck. A violin is perfectly playable without rosin, and it doesn't seem to affect the sound at all.

Good luck in finding what is right for you!

 

[bassics1975]

Excessive rosin use is often a crutch used when there are problems with technique. A decent bow and proper technique will allow you to use as little rosin as possible and draw a good sound. Inferior grades of rosin will require regular application and just won't deliver the results.