Who else out there besides Stanley Clarke, play big bass with a bow?
 
I just love what Stan does with them. I was listening to an old RTF No Mystery Track 7 on CD. DAMN that was good. Stan must had been a teenager back then...

I guess every Bass player in every orchestra around the world can switch happily between Pizzicato and arco.
 
Graeme

i majored in classical bass in college. i played german bow, and im tellin you, its no walk in the park.

OOps dbl post
OO
 
(Message edited by olieoliver on September 11, 2008)

OOPS, again
 
OO
 
(Message edited by olieoliver on September 11, 2008)

I play upright some and use a bow some but have never mastered it. Need to work on it more but after 3 or 4 squeaks I get frustrated and give it the finger(s).  
 
OO

EDGAR MEYER y'all!

Ray Brown, occasionally.  I like Black Orpheus on the album of the same name (Ray Brown Trio, with Jeff Hamilton and Gene Harris).  Check out Gary Karr's stuff, too.

Thanks Andy -- Gary Karr's music is wonderful. How did I go through life all this time, and never heard his music...?
 
This is why I love/hate this site so much. Thank you from the bottom of my heart Andy.

I play upright with a bow (french style) ! :-)
I am getting better with alot more practicing,,, I used to be afflicted like Olie. The squeeks are not as frequent now but for some reason my left (fingering hand) is not as dexterious when I am bowing,,, it must be all my thoughts sinking into my right hand and departing the left.
 
 
Edgar Meyer fer sure!!!
Renaud Garcia Fons is certainly worth a listen also.

The trick (or one of about a hundred) is to not move the bow too fast.  More pressure at first, to get the string speaking, then feel for a speed where the bow seems connected to the string and not sliding (or careening, as my technique has been characterized) across the strings.  
 
The fullest tone comes when you have the most resistance against the string, if that makes sense.  Louder near the bridge and the bow moves more slowly than when nearer the end of the fingerboard.  
 
I play both German and French, and definitely prefer French.  
 
John

check out giovanni botessini guys

francois rabbath.

Glen Moore

A couple of questions for you arco folks.  
Do you wipe the resin buildup off the strings between songs or leave it there?  I've seen it done both ways by professionals.  
For you German bow people, do you hold the bow the French bow way or put your ring and middle fingers through the frog?
Rich