Introduction
The double-bass sometimes comes to the fore with a solo or a particularly prominent part, but mostly it is in the background supporting the harmonies, creating rhythms and adding its rich tone to the overall orchestral mix.
The double bass, or contrabass as it is also known, is descended from the viol rather than the violin, although both violin and viol shaped instruments exist today.
Range
The bass sounds an octave lower than written, and its strings are tuned in fourths, sounding as follows: G2, D2, A1, E1. The addition of a low C extension can take the lowest string down to C1.
