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The Classroom Resource The Double potage What does a double bass look like?

The double bass looks quite similar to the , only much bigger! A full sized double bass has a body about 140 centimetres long, and has four or sometimes five FUN strings. It is made of and so is usually brown in colour. The main difference between the violin and the double bass, other than size, is that the shoulders of the double bass (the top of the double basses wooded body) are much more sloped and the back can be Fact more curved. This allows the percussion The double bass has many easier access when reaching around french alternate names such as to play the instrument. play either standing up or sitting on , bass, a tall stool. upright bass and even When you look at the double basses in an you will notice that bull fddle. In the double some have what looks like a rod double bass is nicknamed sticking up from the top of the bass 2n nagy b_g_, which means neck, by the scroll. This is what is harp Violind called an extension. It adds extra ‘big crier’ in reference to the length to the bottom string of the instruments large sound. instrument, allowing it play even 1st lower and more grumbling notes Violin than usual ! [Need image] A bit of double bass history The double bass is not only an orchestral instrument; it has had a fascinating history Repertoire that as a key instrument in the development of . From the earliest days of jazz in the 1890s, who played tuba in outdoor jazz bands moved to double bass features the double bass (often called string bass) when the band moved indoors. Because an unamplified The earliest known for double bass double bass is generally the quietest instrument in a , many players use was composed by Haydn in around 1763. The the slap style, slapping and pulling the strings so that they make a rhythmic “slap” double bass was very popular during the 18th sound against the . The slap style cuts through the sound of a band century and many wrote double better than simply plucking the strings, and allows the bass to be more easily heard bass , including 18 concerto by on recordings. The double bass was also important in the development of bluegrass the Johannes Matthias Sperger. and . Undoubtedly the most famous double bass piece from this era is Mozart’s aria , which features an impressive solo double bass part. There are a Hurricane Ballroom number of well-known pieces of section that include the double bass, such as Schubert’s Trout , Dvorak’s in G major, and Mozart’s . However it wasn’t until the 20th century that the double bass really became known as a solo instrument, with composers including , Elliot Carter, and all contributing important works.

NZSO Music for Schools - Rachel Hyde ©2011 nzso.co.nz/education The Classroom Resource

Double bass The Double bass

The double bass in the orchestra The main role of the double bass in the orchestra is to the lowest music, the bass part, either on its own or playing with the , and tuba. As with so many instruments it was Beethoven who began to make more interesting use of the double bass. Before Beethoven the double bass had been invaluable in providing a solid bass line, but was rarely given music of any individuality. In his No 5 Beethoven makes the double bass sound quite humorous in the movement, and in the Symphony No 9 the section sounds notably eloquent. When used imaginatively the double bass section can sound mysterious and even menacing. Composers such as Tchaikovsky, Dvorak and Sibelius made particularly original use of the double bass section.

140 Centimetres

Classroom Task... Double bass strings

How long is a double bass string? If the body of a double bass is 140 centimetres long, the strings must be at least this long! Get a ball of string or wool and measure out a piece 140 centimetres long. Get two friends to pull it tight and see if it makes a sound when you pluck it.

Do you know what instrument strings are made out of? Use the internet to research all the different materials that are used to make double bass strings.

NZSO Music for Schools - Rachel Hyde ©2011 nzso.co.nz/education