Bow selection is personal. The choice between German and French bow is arguable and boils down to physical comfort and bow control. Again, seek the assistance of someone knowledgeable about any particular bow. Top of page. I strongly recommend that students sit, particularly younger students.
Some players feel that they have greater freedom of movement be standing.
If you choose to begin students standing, be sure to spend generous amounts of time teaching the students to support and balance the instrument with the body, NOT with the left hand. Allowing the student to use the left hand to support the weight of the bass will have devastatingly crippling effects on the students ability to develop any left hand technique. In the sitting posture, the instrument is automatically supported and balanced by the body enabling the young player to have more freedom of arm movement and preventing the early development of detrimental left hand habits. In the standing posture, the players legs should be straight. The bass is tilted back slightly, similar to the angle of the fingerboard, leans slightly into the player and is twisted slightly clockwise towards the player.