 |
 |
|
 |
 |
|
|
Selecting a new bow for your double bass doesn’t have to be a daunting task. While the elements of choice are many, Lemur Music has a wide selection of quality bows which you can audition at home or with your teacher. Our sales representatives can help you receive the right selection from which to choose... delivered right to your door. Good information is the basis for a good decision, so read on.
Only among the double bass bows do we find two distinctive styles of bows:
The French model is most like other violin family bows, except thicker and heavier. The French bow is held with an overhand grip and has a taller head to go with its shorter frog.
The German model is held with a side-hand grip... the button rests at the base of the thumb, much like a pencil. The frog is much taller and the head is often shorter. Because of the stronger grip, German bows tend to be lighter. They are also a good choice when tendonitis becomes a problem.
Choosing between the two types of bows is up to you and your teacher. Over a period of months or years, most bassists end up trying both before really making up their own minds.
There is a choice of materials. Fiberglass has long been a popular choice for schools. It’s durable and inexpensive. Advanced composite and carbon fiber materials are now available at student prices, and these bows offer improved tone and handling as well as genuine ebony frogs, which look and feel better in the hand.
While man-made materials are gaining acceptance, the traditional feel of wood is often preferred. Though violin and bow making are European traditions, all the woods used for bows are New World species.
When carefully selected, Brazilwood makes a good beginner double bass bow. Brazilwood, which can be recognized by its chocolate-brown color is more plentiful than pernambuco, softer and easier to work, therefore a less expensive material. We often find the sound produced is soft, round, and mellow. The softness and flexibility of these sticks make them good choices for beginners.
Pernambuco is the preferred material for almost all professional bows. This wood is becoming increasingly rare. Well-selected sticks possess a ringing resonance which enhances tone and playability. The natural wood occurs in various shades of bright orange. Traditional staining methods react with the tannin in the wood with chemical vapors to produce darker colors, which are often reddish or purplish. As the price goes up, the wood is more highly selected. This continuum of wood quality proceeds up through the professional silver- and gold-mounted bows offered in our catalog.
Many people are surprised that different bows have discernibly different tonal properties. Particularly in the middle and upper registers, you’re likely to notice differences in volume and brightness. Look for a pleasing tone that compliments your double bass. Balance and handling also vary. Grip the bow and move it around to get a sense of the balance and perception of weight. Then try your most advanced techniques The ease and response of spiccato bowing as well as challenging string crossings will help identify the best bow for each situation. Finally, work with your teacher or colleagues. Their inputs will be helpful in making this important decision.
|
|
|
|
