Instrument Quiz

Double Bass

With your big frame, you keep a low beat going softly and quietly hold up the whole ensemble.

Play softlyHold up the restBetter together

The double bass, also called the contrabass, is the biggest string instrument and plays the lowest notes. It's so large that you play it standing up or perched on a tall stool. Its sound doesn't so much come through up front as keep going at the very bottom of the ensemble.

In orchestras and in jazz alike, the double bass builds the foundation of the sound with the lowest notes, and in jazz it also keeps a steady beat. It doesn't play the melody very often, but just adding it makes the whole ensemble sound much more settled. You support everyone from an unnoticed spot within the circle.

Because the double bass is so big, moving it and setting it down both take planning. You, too, think through the whole plan before moving, so you can be slow to get going when plans change suddenly. When you hear about a change, first check just your own part, and you'll get moving smoothly.

Strengths

You can keep everyone in step while reading how each person is doing
You can keep up a behind-the-scenes role at the same quality for a long time
You may not say much, but you can settle a room that's getting restless

Where you may stumble

When plans change suddenly on a day out with a group, it takes you a while to decide what to do next
When asked to take a role up front, you're unsure how to act
When you have to decide alone, you find yourself looking around for someone

Sounds familiar, Double Bass?

At gatherings, you're standing at the very back or off to the side
Somehow, you've got everyone walking at the same pace
When someone's talking, you nod along with a low “Mm-hm, mm-hm”

Where you shine

Working behind the scenes at a long-running gathering, practicing something a big group has to get in sync, times when a restless room needs calming down.

Tips for “Double Bass”

When plans change, start by checking just your own part
Once in a while, take on the opening words at a gathering yourself
Add one decision you make on your own at a time, starting small

Matches

See every match in the Instrument Quiz compatibility chart →

Easy together

Piano — The Piano can build a whole piece on its own. Just by running one line of low notes underneath that structure, the Double Bass can settle the whole sound.

Easy together

Trumpet — With a partner who steps forward and takes the melody, the Double Bass can relax and focus on the low end. It's a pairing often seen in jazz, too.

May clash

Harp — Both quietly take the supporting side, so when it's just the two of them, nobody starts the melody. They can end up each waiting for the other to move first, and nothing gets going.