I’m pausing at 2’50” to say, thank you, thank you, thank you for this. Hearing this from you I think maybe I can finally forgive myself for feeling like a complete failure for all these years.
Ha! I know EXACTLY how you feel. I never understood how other bassists were so comfortable with that while I felt like a rookie. Thanks for watching, and I'm so glad it helped. Be well
How much of a role does bow tension play? I sometimes struggle with getting a good tone if I set my hair tension too tight or too loose. Could you say a word about that?
Thank you, Dave. I understand your question, and spent years looking for that. It plays a huge role, in that it really depends on the wood in your bow and the quality of the hair, and how the rosin happens to be grabbing that day. My approach is to keep the bow as loose as possible without grinding the stick into the hair. If the stick is too tight, then the hair won't "wrap" around the string to grab it, and there's not enough hair to actually grab the string. But I've played some sticks that have a lot of flexibility in the wood, so I can keep them tighter. Some of the snakewood bows already have the tension built in, so I can keep the hair very loose. It just depends. Personally, I just don't like the stick hitting the string, so I find the most amount of weight I'll reasonably apply, and tighten it to that amount. I hope that makes sense. Happy new year, and let me know if that helps! Dennis
Thanks for your great videos and book! We (bass player couple) have discovered them during the pandemic lockdown and it has been very inspiring and helpful. It has been a great way to reasses & restructure my practise routines and to prepare for upcoming auditions in a methodical, structered way.
Thank you so much, evaeuwe - that means the world. I'm glad you're finding them helpful. Good luck in your preparation and auditions! Happy new year to you and yours, and I hope you're well. Dennis
Thanks, Daniel. It's 1/8" surgical latex tubing. I have my local luthier put it on my bow every time I get a rehair. It's very comfortable for my thumb, and opens up my grip radius to a more comfortable level. Hope you're well
pretty cool stuff there maestro! I did all my training and orchestra experience as a German bow player and then switched to French because I wanted to play tango. Now I am preparing some Mozart and having to really learn the French spiccato. Your explanation was very useful!! Happy practicing to me. I'll be walking around holding the bow with two fingers all week at your suggestion! Thanks
