More Bass Bow Stories | Joseph Conyers, Double Bass

In my previous bass bow video, you got to see two of my bows. Well, it turns out I have five. Although you still only get to see four of them here. My Steven Reiley bow, which is a fantastic bow, is still in my bass locker at the Kimmel Center. At the time, when I filmed this video, I hadn’t been to the Kimmel Center since March. The four bows in this video are my Grunberger, Tomassi, Radosavljevic, and Husson. I give context to how old these sticks are, where I got them, the difference between octagonal and round sticks, rubber grips, rosins, and much more. Now that I’ve covered my bows, be on the lookout for a video about my basses.
#doublebassbow #bow #BeltitOutBasses #bassist #doublebass #classicalmusic #instaclassical #musiciansofinstagram #strings #violin #viola #cello #Symphony #Orchestra #bassplayer #acousticbass #contrabass #contrabaixo #kontrabass #contrabasso #contrabajo #philadelphiaorchestra #yourphilorch #bassgram #instabass #uprightbass #classicalmusicians

[@tkbass01]

On a positive note: Three weeks ago, I was able to find my actual bow that I sold in 2003 (W.Seifert) that my parents bought me in 1990 when I was in 8th grade. I used it all through high school and college. Unfortunately, I had to sell my double bass and bow in 2003 when I needed funds to cover my wife's hospital bills. It was listed on consignment last month on Upton Bass. Every last marking and detail matched the picture that I took years ago including the cosmetic repairs that were made when it was fully restored. I purchased it for sentimental reasons because my great aunt left money in her Will to fund my parents purchase for my double bass in order to persue my love for music. In addition on the same week, I tried out and purchased a copy of a Dominico Busan double bass and a very nice Egidius Dörfler bow from the String Emporium. After a six-year hiatus, I am playing once again!

[@paulareiley3248]

What a wonderful, informative conversation! 😊

[@gregoryf4186]

I’ve got basically all of my bows from Robertson and sons in Albuquerque

[@celwise]

I love to hear you talk about the bass! My son has been playing bass less than a year now, and I have found your youtube and insta and I just love your enthusiasm for the instrument and they way and tone that you speak about playing the bass! You have a new fan! All the best!

[@josephconyers7854]

Very cool! 👍🏾 Thanks so much for watching!

[@shaolinfez]

Entertaining. Thank you!

[@josephconyers7854]

Thanks for watching!

[@brunomaia..7710]

I'm really a big fan of your music, maestro. Right now I would not be able to enroll on Juliard :) so I am thinking of taking your video course at Discover Double Bass. The content looks fantastic, like a master class on Mozart 25 for example.

[@mark-stefaniw]

Loved your story about Jane Little. I heard about her amazing story only a couple of years before she died.

[@josephconyers7854]

She was an amazing woman!

[@danielmkubacki]

Wow cool bows. An 100 year old bow that is awesome. I love your double Basses. Thanks for sharing your passion for music and the instrument with us. I hope that you are having a great night.

[@josephconyers7854]

Thanks so much, and I'm glad you enjoy! I'm doing great, and thanks for watching!

[@LeeroyJanky]

Almost did a spit take during my lunch break because I have a Tomassi bow that looks exactly like that one and I had never found any details about it until I was at Shanks looking for an upgrade and Mike gave me an estimation of its value. For its price range, it truly was a fantastic bow. I definitely did not expect to see a bow a humble player like me uses featured here, ha.

[@josephconyers7854]

It's a great stick!! And, I'm sure you do the bow great justice!

[@bassinvader]

Nice video ! I never played with grip/tubing because I want to feel the wood and vibrations in my hand, and I have to admit, sometimes I got some issues with holding (especially in loud and low pitch excerpts, with sticky rosin... you know what I mean !). Then I started to hold my bow with the thumb inside the frog's curve, not between the frog and the stick, (some cellists play like this as well), and it kind of changes a lot of things (even if I feel like I kind of lost a tiny bit of sharpness/accuracy). What I want to say here is I think it's a way to get rid of holding and tubing issues, and it makes our bows so much nicer too look at ! :)

[@josephconyers7854]

I can't stand the way it looks to have the grip on the bow, but it's been the only real solution. Putting my thumb inside that curve would be very difficult as I feel it reduces my flexibility (the more open my hand is). I'm glad it works for you!

[@IvicaMarusevic]

You should try Leatherwood rosin! Had them all before ... now I'm finally happy

[@heartseme]

I really enjoy your videos . I was wondering where you get the rubber grip? I couldn’t quite understand who it was. I’m a newer bass player. I have tried your hand grip and I’m finding it so comfortable. My playing is improving. Thank you for your willingness to share. Evelyn

[@dr05guitar]

Do you ever play different hair colors? I've tended to use black hair since I switched to German but I did a re-hair a while back and had white for a while... I feel like the black gives you more grit on the string.

[@leesinedosrs8918]

It's funny.. I hate the feel of octagonal sticks... they feel floppy to me and like I can't put any weight into it.

[@pasqualetto_bass]

Wonderful video, Joe! In your opinion, octagonal sticks have that powerful grab you mentioned in general or it is something specific to the bows you own?

[@josephconyers7854]

In general. I feel they GENERALLY (not all) have a bit more feel of wanting to pull the string / grab the string... In my experience!

[@SonicAnihilator]

Professor! Had you tried putting the grip first rolled up in a pencil and then rolling it on the bow stick? Is really easy to set up that way. I hope I had explained myself. Greetings from Mexico

[@josephconyers7854]

I THINK I understand. It sounds like I might need a pretty thick pencil or pen. I assume you mean you flip it over on itself.... Interesting!

[@jaydendcosta277]

Joe Conyers uses Kolstien's... checkmate Pops lovers

[@josephconyers7854]

😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣

[@gregoryf4186]

After using leatherwood I can’t go back to anything else 😂

[@mark-stefaniw]

At 9:25 - lift weights? Joseph, you got guns! Oh -- and my tip for skinning on the surgical rubber tubes is to shake em up in a jip-lock baggie with some corn starch. Which makes the inside slippery -- like a dry lube. Not sure about talc baby powder -- could actually be more abrasive than corn starch. Other "advice" I've seen is to use a little soap, but I don't like that idea.

[@josephconyers7854]

I've even heard using vegetable oil... But corn starch seems to have a lot of potential. Stay tuned. I might just be brave enough to try it!

[@efthimistiligadas129]

I have the same problem with my bow do you know whrere can I find the "tape" that you have???

[@josephconyers7854]

Which problem are we referring to: bow grip or a crack in the bow?

[@efthimistiligadas129]

@@josephconyers7854 crack in the bow

[@efthimistiligadas129]

??

[@josephconyers7854]

@@efthimistiligadas129 sorry for the delay! This thread got lost in the mix. You must take your bow to a professional to fix a crack in the stick. It was he who put the tape at the end of the bow. I know nothing about how they do it. I hope that helps!

[@efthimistiligadas129]

@@josephconyers7854 thank you Joseph greeting from Greece!!

[@davidhadley370]

Who does rehairs in Philly?

[@josephconyers7854]

I use a cellist in the orchestra who does rehairs (good rehairs and super convenient),, but there's also Mike Shank in Elizabethtown. I'm sure there are others, but those are the ones I know off the top of my head.

[@davidhadley370]

@@josephconyers7854 Thanks... Much appreciated.

[@luisanguis4479]

Put some talco inside the rubber and the bow and will be easy

[@luisanguis4479]

talcum powder

[@josephconyers7854]

I've tried that one before.... And it was NOT easy for me then! But, I might give it a shot. Maybe I'll record it so folks can give me a tutorial.

[@luisanguis4479]

@@josephconyers7854 The key is put the talco inside and then you put your thumb and Index finger to cover it, and then shake it so that it is in the whole Rubber, Also spread it whit your Index finger direct in your bow :)

[@josephconyers7854]

That I did NOT do. You've given me hope! Now to find the talcum powder....

[@luisanguis4479]

@@josephconyers7854 be generous with the talco ;)

[@Anonymous-rp4hn]

My teacher in Berlin says French Bow isn’t very good. He idolizes Hitler.

[@josephconyers7854]

Oh no! Both bows are good - they have their pros and cons, but each can be played beautifully and at a high level. It might be more difficult for someone who idolizes Hitler to see that, but maybe this understanding could be the gateway to get him to explore other ways of thinking about society as a whole!

[@gregoryf4186]

French bow has better control, German bow has more power. Both have pros and cons. It’s best to learn how to use both.

[@Anonymous-rp4hn]

@@gregoryf4186 women prefer men who play German bow.

[@gregoryf4186]

@@Anonymous-rp4hn why don’t you post some vids of your German bow technique

[@Anonymous-rp4hn]

@@gregoryf4186 no I'm shitty