double bass

The double bass, also called the contrabass or upright bass, is the largest and lowest-pitched bowed string instrument. Standing around 1.8 metres tall, it is tuned in fourths (E1–A1–D2–G2) rather than fifths like the rest of the string family, because its large size makes fifths tuning impractical for the hand. The double bass serves as the harmonic and rhythmic foundation across many genres. In an orchestra, it reinforces the cello line an octave lower. In jazz, it provides the walking bass line. In bluegrass, it is played almost exclusively pizzicato. Some players add a fifth string or use an extension on the lowest string to reach the low C below the standard range.