:: Art of the Bow with François Rabbath ::

The Strad, the most highly respected magazine for the string community since 1890, ran an announcement about the new Art of the Left Hand with François Rabbath DVD in the May, 2006 issue:

BASSIST GETS ANIMATED

Syrian-French bassist François Rabbath is using state-of-the-art electronics to preserve his fingering technique for the next generation.

Rabbath has just finished filming a DVD that includes a set of 3D animations which can be rotated interactively to allow aspiring bassists to study his movements in greater detail. The motion-capture technology used to create these animations is similar to that used in films such as Lord of the Rings, tracking his movements using reflective spheres mounted on his body joints. The DVD also includes six lecture-demonstrations by Rabbath on fingerings, as well as live performances.

Hans Sturm, Professor of Double Bass at Ball State University and founder of the project, said: ‘François is a guru for many people in the bass world and he is also really into technology. Last April (2005, ed.) we were able to complete the DVD of his bow arm and this year we are working on capturing his left hand using the latest biomechanics technology.’

This warm overview of his life and work features interviews with some of his closest collaborators and former students including Frank Proto, Paul Ellison, and Patrick Neher. Here is an excerpt:

So now Rabbath is up to the fourth volume in his own series of bass method books, and he is the subject of a DVD, The Art of the Bow, which Paul Ellison of Rice University calls “revolutionary.” It employs multiple camera angles, biomechanics, and the technology of motion-capture to dissect Rabbath’s strokes. “Only Tiger Woods in the sports world until now has been able to put this sort of ‘swing doctor’ thing together,” says Ellison. “It’s the most profound teaching tool I’ve seen.”

Straight From the Heart by James Reel