Question for all bowed string players:

[chu2]

Recently I got a cheap cello bow for guitar, which has turned out to be a very cool and fun effect.

 

The one thing I can't seem to do is to keep the string playing when I switch directions with the bow. no mater what, when I reach one end, I always end up with either a small pause or a jump in the volume.

 

I'm pretty sure this kind of sustaining is possible on other bowed instruments. How is it done?

[makingbeds]

This happens to me too. I think it might be due to either a)-the strings not responding as well as a real cello string would or b)-not being proficient enough yet.

[gambit]

keep practising.. there will always be a change once you start the bowing action in the opposite direction, but i think it's mostly in your timing with the bow - ie don't run out of bow before the end of the phrase/chord sequence.

 

failing that, add more reverb and delay so you can't hear anything but the wash!

[chu2]

keep practising.. there will always be a change once you start the bowing action in the opposite direction, but i think it's mostly in your timing with the bow - ie don't run out of bow before the end of the phrase/chord sequence. failing that, add more reverb and delay so you can't hear anything but the wash!

Thanks!

Bump for any specific techniques to possibly try?

[gambit]

i tend to just be gentle and try and keep the bow on the string at all times. lifting it on and off will get you volume jumps and uncontrollable swells when you lift off..

 

i just stick on the longest decaying reverb (or two) plus 90% wet mix and it gets me in sigur ros territory. i can't really find the right delay setting to use yet though... since the reverb is so wet and delay just means the notes tend to slur too much. reverb seems just enough for the sigur ros stuff.

 

bowing harmonics is pretty cool too. and some kind of overdrive that you can push when you play harder to give more gain. i use a vox valvetone which does a great job. if you add say a 50/50 blend of an octave up aswell, it adds to vast sound and actually helps cut through when you get louder aswell.

 

reverb into line 6 rotomachine set to very slow vibratone is pretty epic aswell. has that (kind-of-leslie) grind with a bit of gain that reacts well to playing dynamics.

 

generally i stick to playing one note. i haven't arched the bridge on my guitar to be set up perfectly though.