Upright Bass

I have found that once you get your bow grip correct and relaxed, there are 4 primary elements to bowing technique:

1. Pressure

2. Speed

3. Placement

4. Contact

Pressure relates to the amount of pressure that is placed on the bow against the string.  More pressure would be used when starting the bow stroke, less pressure once the bow is in motion.  The primary effect of pressure is on the tone of the bass.  (Not on volume)

Speed relates to how quickly the bow is drawn across the string.  Fast movement generates a louder sound while slower movement creates a softer sound.  It is important to gain control over the speed of your bow for this reason.

The Placement of the bow becomes equally if not more important as it affects both tone and volume.  Playing with the bow above the fingerboard is called "Tasto" while playing closer to the bridge is called "Pontecello".  There is also the "sweet spot" where bow and string seem to work together the easiest.  As you move the bow from a "Tasto" position to a "Pontecello" position, you will find the volume will tend to increase while the bow speed stays the same.  You will also note that the tone will go from a more wispy/airy sound to a much more aggressive and pointed sound.

Contact refers to a personal pet peeve of mine:  The bow hair should fully connect with the string.  This means that the bow will be perpendicular to the string and not positioned at an angle to the string.  I have heard many arguments for angling the bow, however, I have not noticed any advantage in my playing.  I have noticed that I get a fuller sound when I play with the bow fully connected.  This is a personal preference;  I know that others may disagree.

I have two exercises that you can use to practice developing your bow control:

1. Play long tones on the open string with the bow placed in the sweet spot. Each bow-stroke should be 8 beats (two whole notes) and played at about 60bpm. You can vary the speed from 50 - 75 so that you develop more control with different speeds of the bow.

2. Play open strings for the full length of the bow starting in a "Tasto" position. After each down and up bow-stroke move the bow towards the bridge about 1/2 inch. Try to maintain the same bow speed for each stroke (start with a slow bow-stroke). Note that as you move closer to the bridge, you will need to increase the pressure applied to the bow as you start each bow-stroke.

Explanation of Bowing Technique

It is important to develop your left hand  so that your grip stays very consistent as you move around the neck.  This helps you to maintain your intonation and tone control.  I have found there are generally 4 elements to your grip:

1. Thumb Placement

2. Play on your Fingertips (bent Knuckles)

3. Finger spacing

4. Keep your elbow up

The Thumb should be placed directly behind your middle finger in the center of the back of the neck.  You do not need to bend your thumb, keeping it straight will help to keep it relaxed.

ALWAYS play on your Fingertips, keeping your knuckles bent.  Your fingers are much stronger if you are using the muscles in your hand by bending your knuckles like you would hold a ball or a bat.  If your knuckles are flat, you are no longer using the muscles in your fingers to hold down the string.  NOTE:  You will want to add fingers as you change notes on the same string (in other words, when you place your 4th finger on the string, add or keep the other fingers on the string).  And try to keep the fingers hovering over the string that you are playing on when they are not pressing on the string.

The Finger Spacing is a bit more difficult to master, so I recommend practicing with a tuner so that you can correct your finger placement as you play.  You will be using the 1st, 2nd and 4th fingers of your left hand to hold down the string (the 3rd finger helps the 4th finger).  You want the space between the 1st and 2nd finger to be the same as the 2nd and 4th finger.

It is important to try to keep your wrist as straight as possible.  Extreme bending of the wrist will restrict movement and can cause pain in the hand and wrist.  A straight and relaxed wrist will allow easier movement and help the player to keep the hand relaxed.  Keeping the elbow up will help to keep the wrist straight.  You do not have to raise the elbow any higher than just below your shoulder.

I have one exercise which you can vary to work on your left-hand grip:

1. Play long tones in Half Position (which starts about 1 1/4 inches from the nut), 4 beats for each finger. Start with the E string playing finger 1, 2, 4, then move to the A string and so on. As you move from finger 1 to 2, keep the 1st finger on the string. Do the same when you place the 4th finger (all fingers will be holding down the string). Once you have reached the 4th finger on the G string, reverse the process. You can also name the notes as you play them. This will help you to memorize the note locations on the bass. (I highly recommend this)

Explanation of Left Hand Grip

IV - The 4th position is a good place to start after the 1st few positions because it is easy to find; once you have your grip so it is consistent simply drop your hand until your thumb can go no further.  On most basses this will put you in the 4th position.  Notes on the G string will be D, D#/Eb, E

V - The 5th position is the 1st pivot position for the upright bass player.  You will pivot your hand, keeping your thumb where it was for the 4th position.  The distance is only a half step, so place your 1st finger where you 2nd finger was and you will now be in 5th position.  Notes on the G string will be D#/Eb, E, F

VI - The 6th position is also a pivot position.  You will still want to keep your thumb where it was for 4th and 5th positions, however, you will stretch your 3rd finger to the harmonic that is located precisely halfway down the entire string.  Your 1st and 2nd finger will precede it with an even spacing.  You may use the harmonic instead of pressing down the string to make sure you are in the correct place.  Notes on the G String will be F, F#, G

Again, it will be helpful to use a tuner when practicing in these positions to make sure that your finger placement is accurate.  Use the left-hand grip long tone exercise to practice these positions individually.

Explanation of VI, V and VI position

It is important to develop your left hand  so that your grip stays very consistent as you move around the neck.  This helps you to maintain your intonation and tone control.  I have found there are generally 4 elements to your grip:

1. Thumb Placement

2. Play on your Fingertips (bent Knuckles)

3. Finger spacing

4. Keep your elbow up

The Thumb should be placed directly behind your middle finger in the center of the back of the neck.  You do not need to bend your thumb, keeping it straight will help to keep it relaxed.

ALWAYS play on your Fingertips, keeping your knuckles bent.  Your fingers are much stronger if you are using the muscles in your hand by bending your knuckles like you would hold a ball or a bat.  If your knuckles are flat, you are no longer using the muscles in your fingers to hold down the string.  NOTE:  You will want to add fingers as you change notes on the same string (in other words, when you place your 4th finger on the string, add or keep the other fingers on the string).  And try to keep the fingers hovering over the string that you are playing on when they are not pressing on the string.

The Finger Spacing is a bit more difficult to master, so I recommend practicing with a tuner so that you can correct your finger placement as you play.  You will be using the 1st, 2nd and 4th fingers of your left hand to hold down the string (the 3rd finger helps the 4th finger).  You want the space between the 1st and 2nd finger to be the same as the 2nd and 4th finger.

It is important to try to keep your wrist as straight as possible.  Extreme bending of the wrist will restrict movement and can cause pain in the hand and wrist.  A straight and relaxed wrist will allow easier movement and help the player to keep the hand relaxed.  Keeping the elbow up will help to keep the wrist straight.  You do not have to raise the elbow any higher than just below your shoulder.

I have one exercise which you can vary to work on your left-hand grip:

1. Play long tones in Half Position (which starts about 1 1/4 inches from the nut), 4 beats for each finger. Start with the E string playing finger 1, 2, 4, then move to the A string and so on. As you move from finger 1 to 2, keep the 1st finger on the string. Do the same when you place the 4th finger (all fingers will be holding down the string). Once you have reached the 4th finger on the G string, reverse the process. You can also name the notes as you play them. This will help you to memorize the note locations on the bass. (I highly recommend this)

Explanation of Thumb Positions