Double Bass FAQ's

The double bass is the largest (and lowest in pitch) of the bowed string instrument family. The name “double bass” itself traces its roots to early church organs which needed “doubling” on the bass frequency by installing pedals by the pianist’s feet. 

Its purpose is clear: play the lowest frequencies and give the musical foundation for an entire orchestra. The sheer size of it (sometimes larger than the average person) allows it to play notes far lower than what a typical person could sing. Without the double bass, the orchestra would sound flat and incomplete.

Not much, because they work pretty much the same and serve similar purposes. The term double bass, however, is more commonly used in classical music circles. It also refers to how low the instrument can go. For instance, in an orchestra, the cello technically plays the bass notes, but the double bass is an octave lower than what the cello can achieve. Meaning, it’s about two times lower than the cello’s frequencies, hence the name double bass. 

To produce the lowest notes in an orchestra, double bass strings must be thick and durable. They’re often made with cores of steel and nylon. These steel and nylon core strings are the toughest in the market, meaning you won’t likely need to replace them for a few years. There are also strings made entirely of nylon, and the most expensive ones are made of gut. These strings come from the fiber found in the walls of animal intestines. They’re not as durable as steel and nylon core strings, but they produce a traditional sound that can never be replicated by steel or nylon ones. Some musicians also say that the feeling of playing on gut strings is unlike anything else.

No. Like violins, violas, and cellos, double basses are made differently according to players’ dominant hands. Most of the instruments are specifically intended for right-handed players, and as such feature hardware oriented to that dominant hand. If you install strings in reverse in a double bass, they won’t sound good. Fortunately, you can still find a lefty double bass in the market, though you’ll need to look far and wide to find a good one. 

Because it’s critical to the success of a modern symphony orchestra. Think about it: without the double bass and its booming foundation, the sound will be left for dead. There would be nothing “solid” underneath all those melodies, and the music will just sound flat. This is why during auditions, double bass players tend to be a hot commodity. Everyone’s either a violin, percussion, or cello player. Double bass players are not rare, but they’re not as plentiful as the others. And orchestras will always look for good ones.