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Double Bass What does this actually do???

A

Ashley Long

Jan 3, 2004
121
10
www.myspace.com
#1
I came across this photo of Bruno Chevillon and noticed that he has one of these 'bow-rubber' things :

http://www.le-terrier.net/albums/ebruitez_vous2005/pages/041.htm

What do these actually do???
Recently, Ive been experiencing severe problems with my right hand, thankfully not carpal tunnel but a form of RSI none the less. :bawl:

I put this down to my use of french bow. I have small thumbs and recently Ive noticed that my hand is quite collapsed one the bow, its taken 11 years for the problem to become apparent and I, abiet reluctantly, may have to switch to german which is not exactly ideal. Before I do however, could one of these help me/ or has anyone else experienced similar problems and found another solution?

Best Wishes all

Ash
 
#2
I use one on my bow. Basically it's a piece of surgical tubing that you put on the bow to rest your thumb on. I find it very difficult to play a french bow without it. My thumb feels collapsed and isn't very comfortable. With the tubing on it is very pleasant and I can play all day long.
It's a matter of taste to the player. My instructor (who uses it as well) put it on my bow when I started playing because my grip looked so tense and I've used it ever since. It definitly raises the comfort level of the french bow.
 
#3
A proper french bow hold boils down to the thumb
and first finger, the other three stabilize. With a
bow rubber you provide cushion in that torque-like
pressure between the two fingers. With the thumb
curved inward its tip is on the rubber, and the
first finger wrapped over the rubber at its front
end on the stick, some people have shorter ones
and don't get the first finger cushion, but thats
the way I like it.

The bow rubber is like having soft thick socks on
your feet, if your hold is wrong it will delay the
consequences but will not eliminate them.

I personally would not have a bow without one, but
with a correct hold you should be able to play without
pain either way.

If you don't have a live expert around to consult with
I'd suggest investing in Rabbath 'Art of the Bow', he
spends a lot of time on the hold, and beyond.
 
#4
Hey guys,

Its not my hold thats wrong, basically, I play recitals which involve a lot of pieces that include very intense playing of a very physical nature. Its quite literally a physical problem due to the way the bow balances in my hand due to the way my hands are if that makes any sense. :hmm:

I think that if I raise the angle of my thumb and first finger a little, then the problem (incidentally I used to stand mostly but now sit) should go away. Does this sound reasonable?

best

Ash
 
#5
Well with a decent holding technique you can play near any piece without pain or discomfort. I like JFV's comparison to heavy socks... it's just cushion. It's not permanent you may just want to check it out, or consult with your teacher. I love it.
 
#6
Ashley Long said:
Hey guys,

Its not my hold thats wrong, basically, I play recitals which involve a lot of pieces that include very intense playing of a very physical nature. Its quite literally a physical problem due to the way the bow balances in my hand due to the way my hands are if that makes any sense. :hmm:

I think that if I raise the angle of my thumb and first finger a little, then the problem (incidentally I used to stand mostly but now sit) should go away. Does this sound reasonable?

best

Ash
Click to expand...

The balance of the bow, the nature of your stance, the
biomechanics of your playing, they are ALL of one piece.
And when it all is proper it should not lead to RSI :)

Rabbath's video gives an overview of this, but the real
answer is a teacher to help you correct things.

Best of luck to you,
 
#7
Sippy said:
I use one on my bow. Basically it's a piece of surgical tubing that you put on the bow to rest your thumb on. I find it very difficult to play a french bow without it. My thumb feels collapsed and isn't very comfortable. With the tubing on it is very pleasant and I can play all day long.
It's a matter of taste to the player. My instructor (who uses it as well) put it on my bow when I started playing because my grip looked so tense and I've used it ever since. It definitly raises the comfort level of the french bow.
Click to expand...
Interesting. Does anyone have a pointer to where I can purchase one of these? I used to have similar thing that I had cobbled together out of an old Dampit, of all things. That bright green color really "made" the bow. :) Eventually, the Dampit rubber disintegrated and I had to take it off, so I haven't used anything like that in a long time. I don't think I have any problems with my grip or right-hand technique, but I remember liking the feeling the extra grip gave me, so I'd like to try it again.
 
#10
Johnny L said:
I think you can get them from Slava Publishing or Lemur.

Amati or Gold Violins may sell them too. They're both in H-town.
Click to expand...
I was hoping for something a little more specific. :) I tried looking on Lemur, Southwest Strings, etc. but didn't see it. I don't even know the trade name, so all I could do is look under Accessories - no joy.

Good idea about local shops - I'll pass by Philip's this week and see if he's got one. But I'll have to be very careful how I word my request.
 
#11
bassist1962 said:
How much does this alter your bow hold? I don't feel my hold is wrong, or uncomfortable, but at times I feel that I could use a better grip, or more cushioning, etc.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't say that the homemade one I created out of a savaged Dampit altered my bow hold at all - it just made me feel more secure in my hold.

It's like cell phones with me - I hate smooth cell phones. I'm constantly dropping them. I much prefer phones with some tooth on the surface, which could be accomplished via one of those leather "jackets", some knurling on the outer surface, or perhaps a soft rubber sheathing. Those I don't drop.

The skin on my hands is very hard and dry, so holding on to something smooth like a naked cell phone or bow made of hard wood is a bit of a challenge for me. My stand partners laugh at me when I rub my hand on my bridge in order to "sticky up" my fingertips, but it helps. :)
 
#12
For the best tubing there is, just go to: Link Removed . I don't really see how its possible to play without tension without the rubber on the bow, it helps my hand to be able to relax and provides traction for my thumb so it doesn't slip.
 
#15
GriffithLea said:
I wouldn't say that the homemade one I created out of a savaged Dampit altered my bow hold at all - it just made me feel more secure in my hold.

It's like cell phones with me - I hate smooth cell phones. I'm constantly dropping them. I much prefer phones with some tooth on the surface, which could be accomplished via one of those leather "jackets", some knurling on the outer surface, or perhaps a soft rubber sheathing. Those I don't drop.

The skin on my hands is very hard and dry, so holding on to something smooth like a naked cell phone or bow made of hard wood is a bit of a challenge for me. My stand partners laugh at me when I rub my hand on my bridge in order to "sticky up" my fingertips, but it helps. :)
Click to expand...

Thanks.
 

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