| Playing a musical instrument is great fun, whether | | | | from steel nowadays. this is because steel is |
| by yourself or in a group such as an orchestra, | | | | stronger, produces a greater volume with the |
| chamber group or rock band. But there are many | | | | bow, holds onto the pitch better and is less likely |
| instruments to choose. The double bass is one of | | | | to change with changing humidity and |
| them. You may need some more information to | | | | temperatures. |
| decide if you dare to dabble in the double bass. | | | | Bows are made from a variety of woods, |
| The double bass was derived from violone, the | | | | fiberglass and carbon fibre and vary in length. |
| bass member of the viol family and is the largest | | | | They are strung with either white or black |
| lowest member of the bowed string family with | | | | horsehair or both to give varying tones. There |
| the violin, viola and cello being the others. The | | | | are two main types of bow, the French Bow, |
| name came into being as the instrument was | | | | similar the bows of the other string family |
| used to double the bass part written for cello. | | | | members and German Bow which is shorter, |
| Double basses can vary in looks and sounds | | | | broader and held differently. They are worked |
| between each other because there is not a | | | | slightly differently but both types are used in the |
| standardised form. There are influences from | | | | modern orchestras. Rosin is used on the horsehair |
| both the violin family and viol family. They are | | | | to help grip the string and make it vibrate. |
| closer in construction to the violin family with a | | | | Due to the size of the double bass, it is played |
| similar soundbody, two f shaped soundholes, | | | | standing up or perched on a high stool. It can be |
| bridge, scroll and tailpiece. They can have round, | | | | physically demanding playing the double bass as |
| carved backs similar to the violin family or flat and | | | | the strings are large and thick and the space |
| angled backs similar to the viol family or sloped | | | | between the notes on the fingerboard are large |
| shoulders and angled backs which differs from the | | | | and so bassists have to shift positions frequently. |
| violin family. But all double basses are fretless like | | | | It is a cumbersome instrument to transport |
| the violin family and unlike the viol family, have a | | | | around. However there are a variety of smaller |
| metal endpin at the bass of the instrument to | | | | sized double basses which means younger children |
| rest it on the floor and have metal machine heads | | | | can start learning the instrument. |
| located at the headstock for tuning. This | | | | Music is written on the bass clef stave. The range |
| construction of the pegbox for tuning differs to | | | | of the double bass is just under three octaves |
| that of the violin, viola and cello which have tuning | | | | from the E just over one octave lower then the |
| pegs. A worm gear winds the strings and tunes | | | | bass stave. |
| the string to the desired sound. Double basses are | | | | Sounds are produced when the bow is held in the |
| made of wood with the parts glued together | | | | right hand and moved across the strings whilst |
| except the soundpost, bridge and tailpiece, which | | | | the left hand fingers are press down on the |
| are held in place by string tension. | | | | fingerboard. The volume is lower compared to |
| The double bass had three strings initially but | | | | other instruments as it produces a lower sound. |
| generally have four strings which are E A D G. | | | | The double bass can be seen in the string section |
| Occasionally a double bass has five strings with | | | | in the symphony orchestra, of which there are |
| the 5th string sounding B below the E. Tuning is | | | | eight, smaller string orchestras, jazz and dance |
| done in fourths ie the distance in sound between | | | | bands. The instrument can play a variety of music |
| and including one string to the next is four note | | | | including disco, jazz, blues, rock and roll, traditional |
| names eg E to A - E F G A. Players can use an | | | | country music, bluegrass, and tango. |
| external source such as another instrument for | | | | You have an idea of what the double bass looks |
| tuning. Strings were generally made of gut prior | | | | like and types of groups and music it typically |
| to the twentieth century but are mostly made | | | | plays. |