Double Bass Second openion on Shoulder injury and bow choice.

[chuymatt]

I was in a fairly bad car accident that tore up my rotator cuff to the point where we were considering surgery but went for intensive rehab. 1.5 years later I am picking up URB and wanting to learn some good arco technique and a bassist acquaintance said that German would be a bit of a bad choice as it works more from the shoulder in a way that would aggravate my cuff. So, is it French for me?

 

[Andrew McGregor]

Hard to know... both bows involve a fair bit of shoulder motion, it really depends what part of the range of motion you have problems with.

 

[EggyToast]

While you do use your shoulder, it's significantly lower-impact compared to, say, swimming or tennis. My mom tore her rotator cuff in an accident as well, and she has pretty normal movement except putting it above her head (something that wouldn't happen while playing upright bass).

What might work best for you is to see if you can find a bass shop nearby and explain your problem, and have them show you briefly how you'd hold each bow and your regular shoulder motions. Typically, it's movement from about a foot directly in front of your hip to about 45 deg out.

 

[Eli_Upright12]

both bows if done right shouldnt hurt your shoulder most of the pull and motion should come from your back.

 

[LouisF]

Having come off major back and arthritis issues several years ago, I say it's a combination of things: weight of the bow, size of the bass (especially shoulder bouts), whether you play sitting or standing, height of stool etc;

I found that (among other things) working with a lighter bow (I have three between 126 & 134 gr), low tension strings (such as Corellis), smaller basses, seated playing (and occasional use of a bent endpin) I can enjoy playing for several hours at a time.

Is it as loud and vigorous as I would like? Not always - and sometimes, with the German bow, I let the wrist and fingers carry the load (see Streicher method).

Not ideal and it won't win me any big time auditions (not that I was planning any) but does allow me to keep playing and having fun

Louis

 

[Phil Smith]

I think your overall level of fitness will make more of a difference than whether or not you choose french or german.

 

[LouisF]

Absolutely +1 - I now (post back) work with a trainer/therapist twice a week and work on my Alexander technique. Absolutely essential to work from "the core"

LF