Bows....

[jonnybass]

Afternoon hive mind, on my beginners journey I am looking at buying a bow.  I have some questions...

 

is there anything to avoid in particular?

Should i go wood or carbon fibre?

Does size matter? My bass is 4/4, do i need a 4/4 bow or will a 3/4 be sufficient?

Roisin?  What, which when and how....

 

Jonny

[Burns-bass]

Hi Jonny, where are you based?

 

I ask as I’d chat with an experienced player or teacher in person. I struggled for ages on my own but the lessons sorted out everything in a few weeks.

 

The bow is a new instrument in itself and, in my experience, is taking a huge amount of time to improve. But it’s worth it.

[jonnybass]

Hi I'm in Edinburgh most of the time.  I've been trying for ages to find a teacher with no success so far.  I love the sound of the bass bowed and know if nothing else its great to aid my intonation.

 

Jonny

[Burns-bass]

1 hour ago, jonnybass said:

Hi I'm in Edinburgh most of the time.  I've been trying for ages to find a teacher with no success so far.  I love the sound of the bass bowed and know if nothing else its great to aid my intonation.

 

Jonny

 

Seems strange that such an incredible city like Edinburgh wouldn't have a classical teacher, but I don't doubt it. I only know one in Bristol.

 

I love the sounds of the bow, too. In the end, it's what the bass was designed for, so no wonder it sounds so rich and vibrant. 

 

Personally, I'm an experiential learner and found that the months of time I spent watching videos and trying to teach myself was wasted. A few lessons with a teacher had me making the sounds I wanted with the bow. 

 

Without wanting to come over all Swiss Tony, it's very much like driving a car. Someone can explain the mechanics and the movements and mechanics to you, but you really need to get behind the wheel and hit the road.

 

Wish you the best of luck and will step aside for some (hopefully Scottish based) experts.

[jonnybass]

I know what you mean, I learn better with a teacher for physical things, and I am very conscious of how physical it is as an instrument. I’ll keep looking  

 

jonny