Understanding the Double Bass: The Root of 'Double' in Double Bass
The term double bass can often confuse musicians and music enthusiasts alike. This article aims to demystify the naming convention and history of this large stringed instrument known as the double bass.
What is a Double Bass?
The proper name of the instrument commonly called the acoustic bass, string bass, or upright bass is the double bass. In its most basic form, a non-electric bass is indeed a double bass.
The double bass gets its name from its historical role in orchestral and string quartet performance, where it was originally used to "double" the lowest string part of an ensemble. This means that the double bass played the same part as the cellos, but an octave lower. This addition to the ensemble created a richer, fuller sound.
The Historical Context
Historically, the cello was considered the bass member of the string family. It remains the bass member of string quartets. However, the upright string bass, more specifically the double bass, often played the same notes as the cello but an octave lower, hence the name "double bass."
The term 'cello' (short for violoncello) already indicates its position as a bass instrument. The double bass is simply an octave lower.
It is more or less evident in the name. In classical bad word music, the cello often serves as the bass. The double bass doubles the bass part, sometimes an octave lower.
The Evolution of the Name
The instrument was developed specifically to play the same part or "double" the cello/gamba part an octave lower, thereby enriching the ensemble with more bass. During the 18th and early 19th centuries, the bass and cello parts were essentially the same, an octave apart.
What's 'double' about it? The octave. The terms "double bass" and "contrabass" essentially mean the same thing, an octave lower. Similarly, in music instruments like the bassoon and contrabassoon, the naming reflects the same concept.
The Original Bass Viol and the Double Bass
The original bass played a part similar to a fretted bass viola da gamba, an early relative of the cello. This instrument was played in the range of a human bass voice, spanning from A or D below the bass staff, with 6 to 7 strings. Additional octaves were added for extra body and weight.
To supplement this with an extra bass part, a contrabass (double bass) was introduced. This would provide more bass depth to the ensemble. While the cello can reach down to C, the bass usually stops at E, unless it is extended to C or modified into a five-string instrument starting from B. This configuration was typical in the 18th and 19th centuries, but less so today.
The Naming Conundrum
A common misconception is that the double bass is named so because it is "doubling" the bass cello part. However, the term "double" in this context refers solely to the octave, not the role it plays in the ensemble.
In almost every other language, the English term "double bass" translates to "contrabass." This term is more accurate, as it only refers to the lower octave. The "double" before the 19th century indeed referred to such doublings, but today the term is purely denotative of the instrument's lower range.
This article aims to clarify the naming and historical context of the double bass, ensuring that musicians and enthusiasts have a clearer understanding of this vital instrument in the musical world.