Anatomy of a musical giant
The classical backbone
Jazz, slap, and rockabilly
The extreme and the bizarre
YOUR GOAL
Master of The secret life of the double bass
maestro The Double Bass
Spin those brassy gears to tune! (Crank it tight!) / Hold that heavy tension down! (Make it boom!)
maestro Colossal wooden curves of a double bass frame its thick, vibrating metal strings.
maestro A musician demonstrates two different bow grips against a glowing amber double bass.
maestro Tap the giant strings to discover how the double bass powers the symphony orchestra.
Bass rosin: Double bass players use extra-sticky rosin made from pine sap to grip their incredibly thick strings.
The largest and lowest-pitched bowed stringed instrument used in modern orchestral music. Its sloping shoulders evolved from the viola da gamba family to help players reach the upper fingerboard.
What material was historically used to make double bass strings before steel became standard?
Which part of the double bass body is flat, unlike the curved backs of violins and cellos?
What is the name of the wooden stick at the bottom of the double bass that rests on the floor?
What sticky substance do double bass players apply to their bows to help grip the thick strings?
What is the main physical difference between the French and German double bass bows?
Which family of string instruments gave the double bass its sloped shoulders and flat back?
Why does a double bass use geared metal tuning machines instead of simple wooden friction pegs?