The String Bass

The String Bass

String Bass

String Bass • The String Bass is the largest and lowest member of the string family • It is also known as the Upright Bass, the Double Bass, and the Contrabass • The String Bass is used in a wide array of different genres. Classical, folk, bluegrass, tango, jazz, rock, rockabilly, psychobilly, country and pop to name a few

String Bass continued It can be bowed similar to a cello, or plucked with the fingers to produce sound • Arco: Played with the bow • Pizzicato: plucked by the fingers

• Slap: slapped and plucked with the hand in order to play fast

German and French Bows • The String Bass can be played with two different styles of bow, depending on the style of music

• French Bow

• German Bow

The String Quartet • Besides playing as solo or section instruments, members of the string family often play in small groups • The typical string quartet is made up of two violins, a viola, and a cello, although any combination of four string instruments would still be called a quartet • The String bass is rarely included in a quartet

The Octobass • The Octobass is the largest string instrument, but nobody plays it • It takes two people to play, one to press down the strings and one to pluck or bow

Octobass