No way. I’ve been playing double bass for two years and since my school doesn’t have a low string teacher I never got to learn little but important things like this I’m so glad I found your channel ❤
As a Jazz player who definitely doesn't have an especially strong background in playing arco, it's helpful to have a refresher on even just the basics of a comfortable hold. I find it's the "minute" basics that always end up being the things I forget most after spending so much more time playing pizzicato than arco by the nature of the genres I play.
Same here for me. Only really started using arco as every good bassist I met recommended using the bow for note length and intonation. I'm really struggling but it does force a new way of thinking and security in the playing.
the sweet spot, more I try more I found that the real art is in finding the right position of the bow for every note. It changes in function of string's length and thickness, note, speed, volume, also timbre, and probably also number of hair and flexibility of the bow. This is so much it's really hard to find for beginners. You are great as always and this video added another couple of nails in my picture so: THANK YOU.
I’ve been searching online for tips on how to get back into bass after a left arm repetitive stress injury and decade-long hiatus (babies). This was perfect! I don’t want to go too far too fast and cement old bad patterns. The whole body motion was an a-ha as well. I’ve done some tai chi - very similar.
I’ve been battling tendinitis in my right arm for years, and this video showed me why. There are a few very simple things here that straight up blew my mind. Thank you for posting this!
Hi Jason, As a complete beginner to bowing, there are a couple details that would have been helpful. 1) How tight to tighten the bow. 2) How to rosin. 3) At what angle the hair is landing on the strings. It looks like the hair is not perpendicular to the string, but rather more of a 45 degree angle? I did see your rosin video- but really don't know tight to tighten the bow! Ha Thanks for the video Jason-great work!
Thankyou so much for this and your other videos. As a new DB player your videos are probably the single most useful ones I have ever watched on RUclips. The only thing I would ask, is what do you do if you have a 3/4 DB that was bought for you and you're a little short for it. Can you just adapt by raising yourself off the ground? (I'm 5ft2)
That's great to hear--I'm glad you're finding them helpful! You might want to try sitting on a stool. That might help to get your bass in the more optimize position. At your height, a 5/8 size bass might be a better fit, but people are able to make a three-quarter size bass work even if they're on the short side. I hope that helps, and best wishes on getting going with the bass!
This video is really helpful for a beginner. Makes me glad I'm starting to learn in the digital age and can access these sorts of resources before l learn bad technique! Thanks for all of your great videos. I do have to ask, though: is the video title a pun on setting yourself "upright" (since, y'know, it's an upright bass)?
Jason, I greatly enjoy your videos and lessons. This clip on bowing is helpful and informative except for one thing: how do you know what the right tension is for the bow hair?
How much different is bowing a double bass from bowing a cello? I mean, if one learns to bow a double bass, does that mean that one can also play a cello? 😅
There are a lot of similarities between the cello and bass bow arm. The angle of the arm is a bit different, and there’s more mass to get moving with bass strings, but you’ll find that a lot ot the skills transfer over quite naturally.
On bowing the D string, higher up ( B in 4th position and upwards ) run out of clearance between the g and a and have to bow closer and closer to the bridge to avoid what you talked about, is this normal?
No way. I’ve been playing double bass for two years and since my school doesn’t have a low string teacher I never got to learn little but important things like this I’m so glad I found your channel ❤
Rock on! Thanks for finding the channel, and I hope it helps!
As a Jazz player who definitely doesn't have an especially strong background in playing arco, it's helpful to have a refresher on even just the basics of a comfortable hold. I find it's the "minute" basics that always end up being the things I forget most after spending so much more time playing pizzicato than arco by the nature of the genres I play.
Awesome-glad it was helpful!
Same here for me. Only really started using arco as every good bassist I met recommended using the bow for note length and intonation. I'm really struggling but it does force a new way of thinking and security in the playing.
the sweet spot, more I try more I found that the real art is in finding the right position of the bow for every note. It changes in function of string's length and thickness, note, speed, volume, also timbre, and probably also number of hair and flexibility of the bow. This is so much it's really hard to find for beginners. You are great as always and this video added another couple of nails in my picture so: THANK YOU.
I’ve been searching online for tips on how to get back into bass after a left arm repetitive stress injury and decade-long hiatus (babies). This was perfect! I don’t want to go too far too fast and cement old bad patterns. The whole body motion was an a-ha as well. I’ve done some tai chi - very similar.
That’s great to hear-I’m so glad it was helpful!
I love the energy you brought. Thank you very much. I love how much I can tell you love playing
I’ve been battling tendinitis in my right arm for years, and this video showed me why. There are a few very simple things here that straight up blew my mind. Thank you for posting this!
You bet--I'm so glad you found it helpful!
You make very good videos. Thank you!
Glad you like them!
You helped me get into the honors orchestra, thank you so much!
Glad I could help!
Thankyou for making these videos Jason
You bet! More to come…
Hi Jason,
As a complete beginner to bowing, there are a couple details that would have been helpful. 1) How tight to tighten the bow. 2) How to rosin. 3) At what angle the hair is landing on the strings. It looks like the hair is not perpendicular to the string, but rather more of a 45 degree angle? I did see your rosin video- but really don't know tight to tighten the bow! Ha
Thanks for the video Jason-great work!
Good ideas for a follow-up video-thanks!
Thankyou so much for this and your other videos. As a new DB player your videos are probably the single most useful ones I have ever watched on RUclips.
The only thing I would ask, is what do you do if you have a 3/4 DB that was bought for you and you're a little short for it. Can you just adapt by raising yourself off the ground? (I'm 5ft2)
That's great to hear--I'm glad you're finding them helpful!
You might want to try sitting on a stool. That might help to get your bass in the more optimize position. At your height, a 5/8 size bass might be a better fit, but people are able to make a three-quarter size bass work even if they're on the short side.
I hope that helps, and best wishes on getting going with the bass!
This is very helpful! I’m going to get a double bass a week from now!
Very cool-let me know how it goes once you get a double bass!
This video is really helpful for a beginner. Makes me glad I'm starting to learn in the digital age and can access these sorts of resources before l learn bad technique! Thanks for all of your great videos.
I do have to ask, though: is the video title a pun on setting yourself "upright" (since, y'know, it's an upright bass)?
Thank you so much-I’m glad you found it helpful!
Jason thanks so much for doing this. It is really helpful. You’re a great teacher
Thanks, Virginia! Much appreciated. 😊
I really appreciate it ❤ Thank you so much!!
Great video Jason.
Thanks!
Great lesson! I’m a self taught junkyard dog bass thumper so bowing is foreign to me.
Jason, I greatly enjoy your videos and lessons. This clip on bowing is helpful and informative except for one thing: how do you know what the right tension is for the bow hair?
Sorry for the late reply! It’s a tricky thing to get right-I’ll work it into a future video.
How much different is bowing a double bass from bowing a cello? I mean, if one learns to bow a double bass, does that mean that one can also play a cello? 😅
There are a lot of similarities between the cello and bass bow arm. The angle of the arm is a bit different, and there’s more mass to get moving with bass strings, but you’ll find that a lot ot the skills transfer over quite naturally.
On bowing the D string, higher up ( B in 4th position and upwards ) run out of clearance between the g and a and have to bow closer and closer to the bridge to avoid what you talked about, is this normal?
It is-I’ll work it into an upcoming video!
I'm just an unteachable amateur. But this was very helpful. Thanks for posting.
You're very welcome!