Double bass

The double bass, also called the upright bass, is the largest and lowest-pitched instrument in a modern symphony orchestra. It has four or five strings and is played with a bow or by plucking the strings. The double bass is an important part of the orchestra's string section, along with violins, violas, and cellos.

It is used in many kinds of music, such as Western classical music, jazz, blues, rock and roll, rockabilly, country music, tango, folk music, and even in film and video game soundtracks. The double bass can be played in different ways, like using a bow, plucking the strings, or slapping them for some rock and roll styles.

We do not know exactly when the double bass was first made, but it is loved for its deep, rich sound that makes music sound fuller. It is tuned in fourths, which is different from most other bowed string instruments that are tuned in fifths.

Terminology

A person who plays the double bass can be called a bassist, double bassist, or bass player. The names "contrabass" and "double bass" describe the instrument’s low sound.

In different types of music, the double bass has many names. In jazz and rock music, it is often called the upright bass or standup bass. In folk music, people might call it a bass fiddle or bass violin. Though it looks similar to other string instruments, the double bass is built differently from the acoustic bass guitar and is related to an older instrument called the viola de gamba.

The double bass is sometimes also called a violone.

Description

A double bass is a large string instrument, about as tall as a person. It is usually around 180 cm (6 feet) tall. There are smaller sizes to fit players of different heights.

Double basses are made from wood, such as maple, spruce, and ebony. It is part of the violin family but has features from older string instruments. The double bass can play deep notes and has a rich, warm sound. It can be played with a bow or by plucking the strings. Its fingerboard has no frets, which helps it play smooth, flowing notes.

Playing style

The double bass can be played with a bow (arco) or by plucking the strings (pizzicato). In classical music and tango, players use both ways. In jazz, blues, and rockabilly, plucking is most common, except for some special parts in modern jazz that need bowing.

When bowed very low and loudly, the double bass sounds deep and strong. When played softly, it can sound smooth and gentle. Classical players learn many ways to bow, like smooth, detached, and short strokes. They also use vibrato, a wavering sound made by moving the left hand finger, to add feeling to their playing. In jazz and rockabilly, players often pluck the strings quickly to make moving rhythms and solos. The double bass player usually stands or sits high and leans the instrument close to their body for easier playing.

History

The double bass comes from the violone, a big viol that began in Europe in the 1400s. Long ago, many double basses had only three strings, but other instruments like viols often had five or six, and violins had four. The double bass looks different from violins and cellos. It is deeper, and its shoulders are carved at a sharper angle, like viols. Some very old double basses were changed to fit modern playing styles.

The double bass is special because it is tuned in fourths, like a viol, instead of fifths used by other string instruments. Exactly where it came from is still talked about. Some believe it is a true bass of the violin family, while others think it started as a violone, the largest viol. Some early basses were actually violoni that were updated with modern features.

Design

Double basses come in two main shapes: the violin form and the viola da gamba form. A less common shape is called the busetto. The back of the bass can be round like a violin or flat and angled like a viol.

The double bass shares many parts with other string instruments, such as a wooden bridge to hold the strings, two f-holes, a tailpiece for the strings, an ornamental scroll, a nut for the strings, and a sound post that helps vibrations travel. It has sloped shoulders and an angled back for easier playing. It also uses metal tuning machines instead of wooden pegs.

Construction

The double bass is similar to violins but has some features from the violone. Unlike the violone, the double bass has an unfretted fingerboard and fewer strings. The fingerboard is usually made of ebony on better instruments. The pegbox and tuning mechanism use metal machine heads and gears instead of wooden pegs.

Materials for double basses include maple, spruce, and ebony for professional instruments. Less expensive basses may use laminated wood or other materials. The soundpost and bass bar are important internal parts. All parts are glued except the soundpost, bridge, and tailpiece, which are held by string tension.

Strings

Double bass strings were once made of catgut but are now usually made of steel because they hold pitch better and sound louder. Gut strings are still used by some musicians for special styles of playing.

Bows

Double bass bows come in two types: the "French" bow, similar to bows for other string instruments, and the "German" bow, which is broader and shorter. Both bows have their own advantages.

Bow construction and materials

Double bass bows are shorter and heavier than cello bows. They are often made from pernambuco wood, but other materials like fiberglass and carbon fiber are also used. The frog of the bow is usually made of ebony and can be decorated with mother of pearl. The bow’s hair is typically horsehair, and it needs regular maintenance.

Mechanism of sound production

The double bass makes sound in a special way. The strings don’t move much air by themselves, so they need help to make music. When you pluck the strings, they shake a part called the bridge. The bridge moves the top of the bass, and this makes the air shake to make sound. The bridge changes the small shakes from the strings into bigger ones that we can hear. The front and back of the bass both shake to help send the sound out. This helps the vibrations from the strings reach the air easily.

acoustic impedance

Specific sound and tone production mechanism

The double bass makes sound in a special way. When you pluck or bow a string, it vibrates. This creates a buzzing sound that gives the note its special character.

Pitch

The double bass can play very low notes. The lowest note it can make is an E₁. Players can reach higher notes by touching the strings lightly without pressing them down.

In classical music, double bass parts usually stay within a two-octave range. Five-string basses have an extra string tuned to a low B. The music for double bass is often written an octave higher than it sounds, making it easier to read on the music staff.

Tuning

Regular tuning

The double bass is usually tuned in steps of four notes. A violin, for example, is tuned in steps of five notes. The double bass’s standard tuning, from lowest to highest, is E–A–D–G, starting from E below the second low C. This tuning is the same as a bass guitar but one octave lower than a regular guitar. Before the 1800s, some double basses had only three strings. Some bands in Catalonia still use three-string double basses tuned A–D–G.

In classical music, there are sometimes notes lower than a standard double bass can play. These notes appear often in older Baroque music. In later music, composers also asked for notes below the low E.

There are several ways to play these very low notes. Players with standard basses can play the notes an octave higher. Or, the player can use a five-string bass, with the extra string tuned to C, or more commonly today, to B, which is three octaves and a little below middle C. Many major European orchestras use basses with a fifth string.

C extension

Most professional players use four-string double basses with a C extension. This is an extra part added to the fingerboard at the top of the bass. It gives the lowest string four more notes downward. The lowest string is usually tuned down to C₁, one octave below the lowest note on a cello.

Some extensions use wooden “fingers” or “gates” that press the string down for notes like C♯, D, E♭, or E. The most complex extensions use a lever system, called a “machine,” with levers that activate metal fingers on the extension.

Once a mechanical finger is locked or pressed, it’s hard to make small pitch changes or smooth sliding effects, which are possible with a hand-fingered extension.

Five-string basses, where the lowest string is normally B₀, might use a two-note extension for a low A.

Other tuning variations

A few bass players tune their strings in fifths, like a cello but an octave lower (C₁–G₁–D₂–A₂). This was used by jazz player Red Mitchell and some classical players like Joel Quarrington.

In solo playing, the double bass is often tuned a whole note higher (F♯₁–B₁–E₂–A₂). This is called “solo tuning,” while the regular tuning is “orchestral tuning.”

A less common solo tuning used in some Eastern European countries is (A₁–D₂–G₂–C₃), which skips the low E string from orchestral tuning and adds a high C string. The tololoche in Mexico, a smaller kind of double bass, also uses the A-D-G-C tuning.

Five strings

When choosing a bass with a fifth string, the player can pick a higher-pitched string (a high C string) or a lower-pitched string (usually a low B). To fit the extra string, the fingerboard is usually a bit wider, and the top of the bass is a bit thicker. Most five-string basses are bigger than standard four-string basses.

Six strings

The six-string double bass has both a high C and a low B, which makes it very useful. It works well for solo and orchestral playing because it has a more playable range. This can be done on a six-string violone in D by changing its strings to B₀–E₁–A₁–D₂–G₂–C₃.

Playing and performance considerations

Double bassists can either stand or sit while playing. The instrument’s height is adjusted with an endpin so the player can reach the strings easily with the bow or plucking hand. Traditionally, players stood for solos and sat for orchestra performances, but now many soloists sit and some orchestral players stand.

Playing in the higher range of the double bass requires a special technique called thumb position, where the hand flattens out and uses the side of the thumb to press the string. This helps produce clear notes.

Even though the double bass is large, it isn’t as loud as other instruments because of its low pitch. In big orchestras, several bassists often play the same low notes together to make them loud enough. In some cases, special microphones can help make the bass louder without changing the natural sound too much.

In music styles like jazz and blues, players often use special amplifiers to make the bass louder.

Carrying a double bass can be tricky because it’s big and fragile. Most players use special soft cases called gig bags to protect the instrument. Some professional players use hard cases with wheels or straps to make it easier to carry.

Double bass players use several accessories to help them play. Mutes can make the sound quieter and darker when needed. A quiver holds the bow when not in use. A wolf tone eliminator helps prevent unwanted vibrations. Players often use electronic tuners to make sure their bass is in tune. Stands are also used to keep the bass off the ground.

Classical repertoire

Solo works for double bass

1700s

The double bass was a popular solo instrument in the 1700s. Many famous composers wrote pieces for it. It was often called the Violone and had different tunings. One popular tuning was A₁–D₂–F♯₂–A₂. Sometimes it had a fifth or sixth string.

The earliest known concerto for double bass was written by Joseph Haydn around 1763, but it is lost. The earliest existing concertos are by Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf. He wrote two concertos for the double bass and a Sinfonia Concertante for viola and double bass. Other composers wrote concertos too.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart wrote a piece for solo double bass that is still popular today. The double bass changed to give orchestras lower notes and a louder sound. Famous double bass players like Josef Kämpfer and Domenico Dragonetti helped shape its role in solo music. Dragonetti was a friend of Ludwig van Beethoven and played across Europe.

Dragonetti wrote ten concertos for the double bass. During Rossini’s time, he wrote a piece for cello and double bass. Dragonetti often played a three-string double bass tuned G–D–A, which was popular.

1800s

In the 1800s, Giovanni Bottesini was a famous double bass player. He wrote concertos in the popular Italian opera style. These pieces were very hard to play, but are performed today. During this time, a school of bass players started in the Czech region, including Franz Simandl and Adolf Mišek. Their teaching materials are still used.

1900s–present

Serge Koussevitzky, conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, helped make the double bass popular as a solo instrument. With new strings, the double bass could be played better, leading to many new works. Later decades saw concerti by composers like Nikos Skalkottas, Eduard Tubin, and Lars-Erik Larsson.

The Solo For Contrabass is part of John Cage’s Concert For Piano And Orchestra. Gary Karr was a leading player of the double bass and worked with many new works. Other important players include Bertram Turetzky.

New concerti from the 1970s to 1990s include works by Nino Rota, Alan Ridout, and Jean Françaix. In the 2000s, new concerti include pieces by Frank Proto, Kalevi Aho, and John Harbison.

Chamber music with double bass

The double bass is not part of a standard chamber ensemble like a string quartet, but there are many pieces that include it. One famous example is Franz Schubert’s Piano Quintet in A major, known as The Trout Quintet. Other works for piano quintet include pieces by Johann Nepomuk Hummel and George Onslow.

In string quintets, Antonín Dvořák’s String Quintet in G major and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Serenade in G major are popular. Larger works like Beethoven’s Septet and Schubert’s Octet also feature the double bass.

Orchestral passages and solos

In a modern orchestra, the double bass section usually has six to eight players. Smaller orchestras might have four, and some have up to ten. The principal bass player often plays solo parts and leads the section.

Notable orchestral solos include parts written by Johannes Brahms and Richard Strauss. “The Elephant” from Camille Saint-Saëns’ The Carnival of the Animals is a famous piece for double bass, and Gustav Mahler’s first symphony features a solo.

Double bass ensembles

Ensembles made up only of double basses exist, with composers writing pieces for them. Examples include works by Gunther Schuller, Jacob Druckman, and Claus Kühnl. Larger ensemble works include pieces by Galina Ustvolskaya and José Serebrier.

Double bass ensembles include L'Orchestre de Contrebasses, Bass Instinct, and the Chicago Bass Ensemble. The International Society of Bassists features these ensembles at its conferences.

Use in jazz

Main article: Jazz bass

Early jazz music began in New Orleans around 1890 with marching bands. By the 1920s, the double bass started to replace other instruments in jazz clubs. Players would create bass lines that matched the chords of songs.

Because the double bass is not very loud without microphones, some players in the 1920s and 1930s used a technique called the "slap style." This involved hitting the strings to make a loud sound.

Jazz bass players need to be good at creating their own lines and solos for different songs. They also need to know the right rhythms for various styles. In big bands, they sometimes read written music.

Many famous bass players helped shape jazz. For example, Jimmy Blanton played with Duke Ellington, and Paul Chambers worked with Miles Davis on the album Kind of Blue. Since the 1950s, jazz bass players have often used microphones to make their instrument louder.

While electric bass guitars became popular in some types of jazz in the 1970s, the double bass is still widely used in most jazz styles because of its unique sound.

Use in bluegrass and country

The double bass is the main bass instrument in bluegrass music and is usually played by plucking the strings. It helps keep the beat and supports the chords in the music. Many bluegrass players prefer using basses made by Engelhardt-Link or Kay.

In early traditional music, cellos were often used, but they later became more common in orchestras. In recent years, some bluegrass bands have started using electric basses because they are easier to carry, though many still prefer the natural sound of the double bass.

An early famous bluegrass bassist was Howard Watts, who played with Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys. Other notable players include Edgar Meyer and Todd Phillips. In country music, the double bass was standard in the past, but electric basses are now more common, especially in modern styles.

Use in popular music

See also: List of double bassists in popular music

In the early 1950s, the upright bass was often used in rock and roll music. It was also part of rhythm and blues bands in the 1940s.

Over time, the upright bass had trouble being heard in loud music. The electric bass guitar, invented in 1951, made it easier for bands to play loudly in big venues.

In the 1980s and 1990s, the upright bass became popular again, especially in folk, country, and acoustic music. Bands like Barenaked Ladies chose it for its special sound.

Modern playing styles

In popular music, the double bass is often played with amplification using fingers in a pizzicato style. Players can use the sides of their fingers for a stronger sound in slow songs or the tips of their fingers for quick, light tunes. Amplification helps players control the sound better.

Without amplification, the double bass can be quiet at very low pitches. But with an amplifier, players can make the low notes louder and keep the sound longer. This is helpful for playing background music or long, flowing melodies.

In some types of jazz, swing, polka, rockabilly, and psychobilly music, the bass is sometimes played in a slap style. This adds a snare drum-like effect to the music.

Double bassists

Historical

Some famous double bass players from the past include Domenico Dragonetti, Giovanni Bottesini, Franz Simandl, Édouard Nanny, and Serge Koussevitzky. These musicians were known for their skill in playing the double bass and for leading music groups.

Modern

Today, talented double bass players like François Rabbath, Gary Karr, and Edgar Meyer continue to inspire others with their playing and teaching.

Contemporary (1900s)

Classical

Some of today’s most important classical double bass players are known for their performances and teaching. For example, Oscar G. Zimmerman taught at the Eastman School of Music and the Interlochen National Music Camp in Michigan. François Rabbath created a new way to play the bass. Other skilled players include Gary Karr, Teppo Hauta-aho, Fernando Grillo, and Edgar Meyer.

Jazz

Many famous jazz double bass players have shaped the music over the years. Jimmy Blanton played with Duke Ellington. Ray Brown worked with famous musicians like Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker. Ron Carter has appeared on thousands of albums, and Paul Chambers was part of Miles Davis Quintet.

Later jazz players like Charles Mingus mixed different styles of music. Charlie Haden worked with Ornette Coleman. Stanley Clarke is known for playing both the double bass and the electric bass. In recent years, Christian McBride and Esperanza Spalding have become well-known jazz bassists.

Other popular genres

Double bass players also perform in many other music styles. Edgar Meyer plays in bluegrass and newgrass music. Todd Phillips is a well-known bluegrass bassist. In rockabilly, Bill Black, Marshall Lytle, and Lee Rocker are famous. Other notable players include Scott Owen, Jimbo Wallace, Kim Nekroman, Patricia Day, Geoff Kresge, and Willie Dixon, who was important in rhythm and blues and worked with Chuck Berry.

Pedagogy and training

Learning to play the double bass depends on the type of music. In classical music, students use special books and exercises. Different countries have their own ways of teaching, like in France or Germany. Most lessons teach how to bow the strings correctly.

In music like jazz and blues, players learn how to pluck the strings in many ways. Jazz players learn many styles, from slow sounds to fast lines.

Both classical and jazz have organized ways to learn. In classical music, children can start with private lessons and play in youth orchestras. Teens can go to colleges, conservatories, or universities. These schools offer certificates, diplomas, and even degrees in bass performance. Conservatories, common in France and Quebec (Canada), give lessons and let students play in amateur orchestras. Universities have programs like bachelor's, Master of Music, and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees. These include lessons, playing in groups, and courses in music history and theory.

Bachelor’s degrees usually last four years and include private lessons, orchestra experience, and courses in music history. Master’s degrees need private lessons, playing in groups, and advanced music courses. Doctor of Musical Arts degrees are for the most advanced students.

In jazz, players often learned by themselves in the past. Now, many colleges and universities have jazz programs. Students take private lessons, play in jazz groups, and learn about jazz history and how to improvise. There are also summer camps and festivals where students can learn new skills.

In other types of music like blues, rockabilly, and psychobilly, there are not many formal schools. Players learn from books, DVDs, private lessons, or by listening to records. Some might start with classical or jazz training. In tango, players usually come from classical or jazz backgrounds.

Careers

People who play the double bass can have many different jobs, depending on the music they enjoy. Most bass players earn money by performing and teaching. To get a job playing, they usually need to have an audition, where they show they can play well.

In different kinds of music, like jazz, rock, or pop, the audition might include playing certain songs. In classical music, bass players audition for jobs in orchestras or music schools. They often play pieces from famous composers like Beethoven, Mozart, and Brahms during these auditions.