Double bass

Double bass
Name	Double bass
Caption	A modern double bass with a bow
Classification	String instrument (bowed or plucked)
Hornbostel sachs	321.322-71
Hornbostel sachs desc	Composite chordophone sounded by a bow
Range	150px
Related	Violin, Viola, Cello, Viol
Musicians	List of double bassists

Double bass. It is the largest and lowest-pitched member of the violin family in the modern orchestra. The instrument is known by several other names, including contrabass, string bass, bass viol, or simply bass, and it is a standard fixture in classical ensembles, jazz combos, and various forms of popular music. Its deep, resonant sound provides the harmonic foundation in many musical settings, played either with a bow or by plucking the strings.

History and origins

The development of the double bass is complex, drawing from two distinct European instrument families. Its physical shape, particularly the sloped shoulders and flat back, shows clear lineage from the viola da gamba family, which was prominent during the Renaissance and Baroque periods. However, its four-string tuning and role as the bass voice of the string section align it more closely with the violin family, which began to dominate in the 17th century. Early compositions featuring the instrument include works by Bach in his Brandenburg Concertos and by Haydn, who wrote several concertos for it. The design was gradually standardized by famous luthiers such as those from the Amati family and Gasparo da Salò.

Construction and design

Modern double basses are typically constructed from several types of wood, with a top made of spruce and back, sides, and neck usually of maple. They come in a variety of sizes and shapes, with the most common designs being the violin model and the viol model. Key components include the scroll, pegbox, fingerboard, and a tailpiece that anchors the strings, which are most often made of steel or synthetic core materials. The internal sound post and bass bar are critical for transmitting vibrations. Many professional instruments are crafted by individual makers, while student models are often produced by larger manufacturers such as Engelbert Schmid.

Tuning and range

The standard tuning for a four-string double bass, from lowest to highest, is E₁, A₁, D₂, G₂, which sounds one octave below the four lowest strings of the violoncello. Five-string models add a low C₁ string or a high C₃ string, extending the range significantly. The instrument is a transposing instrument, notated in bass clef an octave higher than it sounds. Its fundamental range can be extended upwards through the use of harmonics and downwards with mechanical extensions like the C-extension, pioneered by bassists such as Gary Karr.

Playing techniques

The two primary methods of sound production are arco (bowed) and pizzicato (plucked). Arco technique employs either the French or German bow hold, each producing a distinct tonal quality and favored by different schools of playing, as seen in the styles of Serge Koussevitzky and Franz Simandl. Pizzicato is essential in jazz and rockabilly, with techniques like the percussive "slap" style developed by players such as Bill Black. Advanced techniques include col legno, sul ponticello, and the use of double stops and chords.

Repertoire and musical genres

In the classical realm, the double bass has a growing solo and concerto repertoire, with significant works by Giovanni Bottesini, Domenico Dragonetti, and modern composers like Krzysztof Penderecki. Its orchestral role is foundational in the symphonies of Beethoven, Mahler, and Stravinsky. In jazz, it evolved from Dixieland and swing into bebop and beyond, with pioneers like Jimmy Blanton and Charles Mingus elevating it to a melodic instrument. It is also vital in bluegrass, psychobilly, and genres like tango, as performed by ensembles such as the Orquesta típica.

Notable players

The instrument has been championed by virtuosos across genres. Classical and solo pioneers include Domenico Dragonetti, known in the circles of Beethoven, and Gary Karr, a modern soloist. Jazz revolutionaries are numerous, featuring Jimmy Blanton with the Duke Ellington Orchestra, Ray Brown, Ron Carter, and Charles Mingus, who was also a renowned composer. In popular music, influential figures include rockabilly pioneer Bill Black, who worked with Elvis Presley, and session musician Carol Kaye. Contemporary performers pushing technical boundaries include Edgar Meyer, who blends bluegrass with classical, and Victor Wooten of Béla Fleck and the Flecktones.

Category:Double bass Category:Bowed instruments Category:Orchestral instruments