Profile of the Double Bass

Name of Instrument: Double Bass also known as acoustic bass, bass violin, string bass, contrabass, upright bass, stand-up bass and doghouse bass.

Family: String

How to Play: The musician, or double-bassist, may either play it while seated or standing. When standing, the bass is supported by the left leg while the left hand moves up and down the fingerboard. When seated, the bass is supported by the musician's right thigh and pelvis and by the use of an endpin on the floor. The double-bass is played by using a bow across the strings, striking or plucking the strings.

Types: The double bass comes in a variety of sizes to suit the age of the player.There is also an electric upright bass.

First known Double Bass: In 1493, there was mention about "viols as big as myself" by Prospero and in 1516 there was an illustration closely resembling that of a double bass.

Double Bassists: Some known double bassists are:
Domenico Dragonetti, Giovanni Bottesini, Roy Huskey Jr., Edgar Meyer, Scott LaFaro to name a few.