Haitian Fight Song
Charles MingusThe double bass moves from accompaniment into the thematic and emotional foreground.
DINSTRUMENT · KNOWLEDGE GUIDE
Double Bass
Its acoustic low end is warm and woody when plucked, and sustained when bowed.
- Instrument family
- Strings
- Origin
- Europe, taking shape around the sixteenth century
- Related genres
- 3
ORIGIN
Where does it come from?
The double bass combines construction traditions from the violin family and earlier bass instruments. Plucking and bowing create very different attacks and sustains.
ROLE IN ARRANGEMENT
What does it do in an arrangement?
It supplies bass movement and pulse in jazz, classical music and many acoustic ensembles.
Walking bassPizzicatoBowing
COMMON USES
Where will you hear it?
It anchors orchestras and supplies walking bass, pulse and improvisation in jazz, swing and acoustic groups.
LISTENING EXAMPLES
Recordings and repertoire to recognize
COMMON GENRES
Common in these genres
KEEP EXPLORING