Double bass

Double bass (Fr.: contrebasse; Ger.: Kontrabass; It.: contrabasso), bowed stringed instr. of contrabass range. As played today, it has 4 strings, tuned E1 A1 D0 G0, and is notated an oct. higher than it sounds. As the double bass was never standardized either as to size or to pattern, precise measurements are impossible; the instr. now in use in the orchestra may perhaps be said to have an over-all length of 180-200 cm. (6-6½ ft.), a body length averaging 112 cm. (44 in.), and a speaking string…