5 bowing exercises every musician should know
What's the story
Enhancing your double bass bowing accuracy is key for any bassist aiming to improve their technique and performance. This article provides five proven arm exercises to strengthen the muscles involved in bowing, leading to enhanced control and precision. These exercises are easy to do but super effective, and are perfect for musicians of all levels.
Stretch
Wrist flexor and extensor stretches
These stretches are key to preventing stiffness and improving wrist flexibility, which is essential for accurate bow control. Extend one arm in front of you with the palm facing down. Use your other hand to gently pull the fingers back towards your body until you feel a stretch in your forearm. Hold for 15 seconds before switching arms.
Dexterity
Finger tapping exercises
Finger tapping exercises improve dexterity and finger independence, both of which are essential for bowing accuracy. Begin by resting your hand flat on a table. Raise one finger at a time off the table as high as you can while keeping the rest of your fingers flat. Do this exercise slowly initially, then gradually pick up the pace as you gain more control. Do this exercise daily for two minutes.
Strength
Arm curls with light weights
Lifting light weights for arm curls can dramatically increase your arm strength, which will directly affect your ability to apply constant pressure on the bow during long playing sessions. Start with a weight that is manageable but provides a challenge (approximately one to two kilograms) and complete three sets of 10 repetitions for each arm. Remember to always use good form when exercising to avoid injury.
Posture
Shoulder blade squeezes
Shoulder blade squeezes are great for enhancing posture and upper body strength, both of which are key for proper bowing technique. Simply sit or stand with your back straight, squeeze your shoulder blades together as though you're attempting to grip a pencil between them, and maintain this squeeze for 10 seconds before releasing. Do this exercise 10 times a day.
Control
Bow grip exercises
Enhancing grip strength increases control over the bow for more accurate double bass play. Hold a stress ball, squeezing it with your fingertips to simulate a bow grip. Squeeze firmly for five seconds, then relax. Repeat this 10 times with each hand every day. This will improve your articulation and dynamics by giving you more control over your grip.