What exactly is a
​double bass?

What exactly IS a double bass, and why are there about a dozen names for it?

Our noble instrument is the largest of the bowed string family.  The common name 'double bass' refers to one of our earliest gigs - "doubling" the bass line of the church organ some 300 years ago in Europe.  Eventually, organs were developed which have foot pedals to play the low notes, and we were outsourced to the organist's feet.  Fine.  Have it your way - the bass player went down the street and started playing with a band, where our instrument acquired the names 'upright bass' (as opposed to electric bass, which is held horizontally across the body) and 'string bass' (since the tuba or sousaphone is also referred to as a bass).  



Playing with folk groups earned the name 'bass fiddle' and 'doghouse'.  In school, when first learning about the violin family instruments, the bass is sometimes referred to as 'bass violin'.  In several languages such as German and French, we are sensibly known as the contrabass (kontrabass, contrebasse, contrabasso, contrabajo, contrabaixo), since a cello or guitar is sort of capable of playing a bass line, but our notes go lower, into the "contra" range.  Anthrocentric as we humans are, notes below the range of the human voice are described as "contra" or "outside".  


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​We have so many names because the bass, appearing in virtually all styles of music, is seen in different relationships to the other instruments in the ensemble - just as the man who is 'uncle' to you is 'brother' to your mom and 'son' to your grandma.  Technically, "Contrabass Viol" is most descriptive, but nobody really calls us that.​

What a Double Bass Is Not

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A bass viol (bass gamba)(as seen to the right) and a violone are distinctively different instruments from each other and from the double bass.  

​Though we are sometimes handed sheet music parts that were originally written for these instruments, and sometimes it is appropriate to use the double bass to play these parts in modern ensembles, bassists need to be aware that the original written parts are usually not for our octave and almost certainly not for our modern EADG tuning.  It's highly advisable for bassists to learn about the bass viol and violone so we understand how to interpret these compositions.​

FAQ & More

Never mind the bass, I've never played music before!

Learning the technique of an instrument is a big enough job even when you are fully musically literate.  What are the notes?  What are notes, anyway?  Learn the nuts and bolts of how music is structured at MusicTheory.net

What do I need to know to get started?

Check out our blog post on "your first moves" for some tips on looking for an instrument and instruction, and check around our site for info on our education programs and basses for sale or rent right here at Quantum Bass Center!

What methods should I explore?

We draw a great deal of fundamental technique from our friend, mentor, and teacher, Francois Rabbath, legendary bassist and author of the series "Nouvelle Technique de la Contrebasse" (New Technique For The Double Bass).  Here is a video series by one of his students, past president of the International Society of Bassists, and bass professor Hans Sturm explaining several points of using the New Technique.  

What equipment will I need, and how much will it cost? 

Getting started with the double bass can cost you as little as $60 a month to rent an OUTFIT (bass, bow and case).  Basses can be purchased from around $1000/up.  You'll want professional guidance to make the choice between French and German bow.  The bow requires rosin (prepared tree sap) frequently applied, which creates friction between the bow hair and strings, which causes your bass strings to vibrate and produce their sound.  If your teacher is having you sit while playing, you'll need a stool, and this usually entails using a floor protector/anti-slip gadget for your endpin.  You may be guided to one of many method books.  Finally, use Quantum Bass Center as your network - ask questions, browse our library, play on instruments, and meet bass players!
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 See  our new Guides section for detailed information on your gear
You're always welcome to choose your first bass from Quantum Bass Center as a purchase, but if you're not sure just what will suit you best, you can rent one at QBC on a month-to-month basis and apply your rental payments to a purchase later!  Just click HERE to reserve a bass, and get started now!​

At what age should my child begin the double bass?

 For decades, the string world advocated beginning the double bass when the student was physically large enough to play a 1/2 size or larger bass, which brought many players to the bass after beginning on another stringed instrument - or delayed their beginning to play. After many years of trying to improve this scenario, advocating good young-bassist training and making resources such as mini basses, bows and pedagogy more accessible so that younger students can start playing the bass, and upon much observation and reflection on the development of students and the proliferation of resources to keep bass students on a progress par with other string players, we have come full circle and advocate beginning the bass when a student has a good grasp of intonation and bow technique on cello or violin. Highly capable young-bassist teachers are few and far between, and properly set up mini-basses are not available everywhere (although we do carry a full line, and we ship), so, if you are in an area without a highly qualified young-bassist teacher, we advise beginning the cello with a very good teacher, perhaps switching to double bass when the child grows large enough for a 1/4 size bass.  As we are, naturally, huge advocates of beginning the bass at early ages, it's not a statement made lightly.  Many fine and elite double bassists have studied with cello teachers.  Cello pedagogy and technique is highly developed, standards are high, and cello teachers are likely to be able to impart the skills of an ideal bow hold, along with the other foundations of good core technique and reading bass clef, to a young student.  

I want to learn bluegrass bass!

Great - we'd love to help you with that.  One online resource we find impressive is this series with Missy Raines - she explains things very well and she uses GOOD BASS TECHNIQUE (essential for optimum agility in all styles of bass playing).

I want to begin as a jazz player!

Fantasic!  Here's a great series by our esteemed friend John Clayton from which bassists at any level can take in many valuable tips.  For more about John and his terrific performing and arranging, check out his site!
We're also impressed with the extensive material posted by John Patitucci as demonstrating sound principles and proper technique.  ​

I want to learn rockabilly slap bass.

Here is the well-known Lee Rocker video on the topic.  Lee explains very thoroughly and sensibly.

I want to learn to improvise.

No matter what instrument you play, these fantastic tutorials by Paul Abrahams are the best, most accessible explanation we've ever seen on learning and understanding improvisation.