for tbone: bowing a bongo

[RocketRalf]

Not yet worked out the best way to hold the bow and play yet so need to work on that some more - I also need to figure out something interesting to play using one string I'm sure there are technical exercise I would know if I was a proper musician.

As for how to hold the bow, there are various classical grips you may try. There's the french and the german double bass techniques, the first is more akin to the cello, the second closer to the Viola da Gamba, but you'll need a german double bass bow for that. On the violin bow you may try the Gamba grip itself, just google "viola da gamba bow grip" on Images.

Not quite of an exercise, and may be a little hard on a 34" scale instrument , but there's Paganini's Variation on Moses Theme that are played on a single string, which I've seen ported to the cello. Search YouTube for that one.

 

[GreyDad]

Thanks for that - I found this:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rL2edkMji0Y"]YouTube - Ruslan Biryukov & Mary Au Live: Paganini, Moses Variations[/ame]

Lovely - I have a loooonngg way to go

 

[Jazzbassman23]

Silly question, please don't ridicule me but... I know you can get an ebow for guitar, would that not work on a bass? bear in mind I have only heard about these and never tried one...

and after a quick google I have actually found out that Michael Manring has used one in a few songs.

The problem with using it on a bass is that it was designed with a guitar's string spacing in mind. So while it fits comfortably on a guitar string, you have to angle it when using it on a bass. Like most techniques, practice will overcome any intitial drawbacks. From a sonic standpoint, I don't think there's any difference using it on a bass or a guitar. HOWEVER, I am by no means an EBow expert. Far from it.

 

[strummer]

Would you mind if I temporarily swapped the p/g? Thinking black...

It already wears a blckk 'guard, so you don't have to mess with perfection;-)

 

[T-bone]

Thanks tbone, nice to hear you're doing this actively on gigs. Have you got any recorded samples?

GW, the ebow was suggested a page back, I'll try it out when I get chance.

Magnus, agree the bow is more cool, I think the mess can be managed with appropriate practice and technique and the generous use of wonder wipes

Hey GreyDad,

Nothing recorded.....however I do have some video shot with a small hand held and a lousy mic. I hesitate to post cause you really can't hear the lows. Maybe we'll try for some better footage next weekend.

When I break it out, the audience usually pays attention (rare for a bass player). I don't think you'll get that with the ebow. But if you get the sound you like, then why not. Personally, I like the wow factor (cause us bass players are such attention ho's )

I'm glad you're experimenting and look forward to hearing others who are "Bowing their Balls."

Cheers

tbone

 

[GreyDad]

It already wears a blckk 'guard, so you don't have to mess with perfection;-)

Super - I thought it was white, which I don't like too much

Can't wait to see it - checked out adouglas pics again of his BD and it looks great

 

[GreyDad]

Hey GreyDad,

Nothing recorded.....however I do have some video shot with a small hand held and a lousy mic. I hesitate to post cause you really can't hear the lows. Maybe we'll try for some better footage next weekend.

When I break it out, the audience usually pays attention (rare for a bass player). I don't think you'll get that with the ebow. But if you get the sound you like, then why not. Personally, I like the wow factor (cause us bass players are such attention ho's )

I'm glad you're experimenting and look forward to hearing others who are "Bowing their Balls."

Cheers

tbone

tbone if you can get something it would be really cool, thanks

definitely going to persevere with the bow, didn't have chance to try the ebow today - I was doing the sound for our village church fete today, sadly no live music but we inevitably ended up in the pub this evening and I'm probably in no shape to bongo at the moment

Cheers

Neil