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

[NickA]

Avoid cheap fibre glass or "composite" bows, basic wood bows ok, carbon bows around £1k probably beat wooden bows at the same price point.  The very very best bows are probably wood, but you're talking £3k+.

 

There's a Hobgoblin in Edinburgh that have a few bass bows, but it does seem a bit of a bass desert.

 

Caswells or Bowspeed will send you a box of bows to try out. Tell them your budget and they'll work out a selection for you.

 

Go 4/4 bow length unless you have very short arms. Bow length unrelated to bass length and you can always use more length..

 

" I always think playing with a bow is like making love to a beautiful woman; first you get out your stick, admire the wood and give it a gentle polish .........etc etc" 😂

 

Can't speak for teachers, I only ever had two bass lessons, but was taught the cello at an early age ... which helped

[Martin Penning]

Contact the Scottish Bass Trust about lessons.

They are hosting an event in Edinburgh on 1st June

 

http://www.Scottishbasses.com

[jonnybass]

39 minutes ago, Martin Penning said:

Contact the Scottish Bass Trust about lessons.

They are hosting an event in Edinburgh on 1st June

 

http://www.Scottishbasses.com

thank you!