Music History
Music History: Double Bass
1. When was the inception of your instrument?
In 1493, there was mention about "viols as big as myself" by Prospero, and in 1516 there was an illustration closely resembling that of a double bass.
2. Describe your instrument and how it is played.
The double bass also referred to as an upright bass or contrabass, is the one of the largest and lowest pitch sounds of all string instruments. It is unique in that it is capable of playing an octave lower than the sheet music composed for cello, another member of the string family. When played, the bassist has to read the bass line composed for the part of cello, even though the sounds made are much lower than the notes being read. Some of the techniques for playing the double bass are:
Arco – also known as bowing. This kind of playing technique is similar to the way a violin and/or a cello is played.
Pizzicato – also known as striking. The musician strikes the strings to produce sound. This kind of style is typically used by jazz players.
Slap Bass - The musician plucks or pulls the strings and releases it. As the strings slap or hit the finger board, creating unique array of sounds with notes that have an added "click" to it. Occasionally the double bass is played as part of symphonic orchestras, but is most often played in jazz and dance bands.
3. Has it always been made the same way or had the same form?
The double bass has never really had one standard shape. Since the 16th century, its shape has changed more than any other stringed instruments. One is like a violin (although much larger), sometimes with a curved back, sometimes with a flat back, which makes playing it a whole lot easier, and higher 'shoulders ' attached to the neck. The other is more like the shape of a viol with a flat back and 'shoulders ' that slope more quickly and steeply away from the neck. Sound holes in the shape of a backwards “C” are also apparent in almost all double basses, to obtain a
1. When was the inception of your instrument?
In 1493, there was mention about "viols as big as myself" by Prospero, and in 1516 there was an illustration closely resembling that of a double bass.
2. Describe your instrument and how it is played.
The double bass also referred to as an upright bass or contrabass, is the one of the largest and lowest pitch sounds of all string instruments. It is unique in that it is capable of playing an octave lower than the sheet music composed for cello, another member of the string family. When played, the bassist has to read the bass line composed for the part of cello, even though the sounds made are much lower than the notes being read. Some of the techniques for playing the double bass are:
Arco – also known as bowing. This kind of playing technique is similar to the way a violin and/or a cello is played.
Pizzicato – also known as striking. The musician strikes the strings to produce sound. This kind of style is typically used by jazz players.
Slap Bass - The musician plucks or pulls the strings and releases it. As the strings slap or hit the finger board, creating unique array of sounds with notes that have an added "click" to it. Occasionally the double bass is played as part of symphonic orchestras, but is most often played in jazz and dance bands.
3. Has it always been made the same way or had the same form?
The double bass has never really had one standard shape. Since the 16th century, its shape has changed more than any other stringed instruments. One is like a violin (although much larger), sometimes with a curved back, sometimes with a flat back, which makes playing it a whole lot easier, and higher 'shoulders ' attached to the neck. The other is more like the shape of a viol with a flat back and 'shoulders ' that slope more quickly and steeply away from the neck. Sound holes in the shape of a backwards “C” are also apparent in almost all double basses, to obtain a
Cited: "Double Bass". Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica Inc., 2013. Web. 28 Apr. 2013. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/169851/double-bass.