Instruments - Part 16

 Double Bass

The last of the orchestra's string instruments is the double bass.  It's a very large instrument, so it makes lower-pitched sounds than a cello.  This is classical double bass virtuoso Gary Karr with his instrument.  He's one of the world's best bassists.  At age 20 he was a soloist in one of Leonard Bernstein's televised Young People's Concerts.

The "double" part of double bass refers to the practice by composers of writing the music for the bass to "double" the notes that the cello is playing, but one octave lower.

Many players love their instruments, but this guy seems to have taken it to an extreme, going to bed with his double bass.

The instrument is so big, it has to be tilted to fit through the door.

In addition to playing the instrument with a bow like a violin, bassists are also called upon to play pizzicato, i.e. plucking the strings.  This plucked technique is often used in popular music.

More pizzicato playing.

And more.  Unlike the cello, the instrument is so big that it doesn't really fit between the player's legs.  The player usually plays it standing or seated on a high stool.

We end with a guy and his bass setting off to seek adventure.