 
Other Sections :
|
Double Bass
Contents :
 HistoryAfter the bow was applied to the lute in the 10th century, not many more changes were made until the 1300's. Characteristics began to appear in the viole. The viole was a guitar-fiddle which was both bowed and plucked. It was modified by cutting in the sides. The medieval fiddle called a rebec and the lira do braccio each had been made with four strings around 1550. They also developed lateral pegs, a waisted body, and f shaped sound holes. These improvements are still similar in structure today. People began making bowed instruments corresponding to voices at this time. The ancestors of the violin family were called the viol family, consisting of four members in the 15th century. The double bass was first tried to be created using the violin pattern, but this did not turn out desirable. So, in the 1500's the double bass was developed from the violone, or the double bass viol, with a few slight changes. Instrument makers experimented with size and the number of strings to simplify the playing technique. They did keep the flat back (instead using the arched back like the violin) and slanted shoulders. Basses were made with the f shaped sound holes of the violin. Top
DescriptionThe terms double bass, contrabass, and simply bass all refer to this one instrument. It is 6 feet tall and has four thick strings tuned to sound EE AA D G (EE = third E below middle C; G = second G below middle C) and notated an octave higher. A low fifth string is sometimes added, tuned to the C below the E string. The bass is tuned in 4ths instead of the 5ths used by all the other string instruments. The performer must stand to play this instrument or use a very high stool. The bass
has a limited range of expression, so is used as a support for bass tones. Occasionally it
will have a solo passage.
Top
Sound ProductionSound is produced when the player creates a vibration when the string is rubbed by a bow, plucked, or struck. This vibrates the wooden instrument, causing the air inside to vibrate also and act as a resonator. The notes are created by the player changing the length of the string that is vibrating. This is accomplished by the player pressing a single string or multiple strings against the bridge in different places.
Top
|
