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The double bass is played with a bow (arco), or by plucking the strings (pizzicato), or via a variety of extended techniques. In orchestral repertoire and tango music, both arco and pizzicato are employed. In jazz, blues, and rockabilly, pizzicato is the norm.
The art of double bass bowing is a complex and nuanced skill that requires a deep understanding of various techniques and articulations. In this guide, we will explore the different ways to play the double bass, from arco to pizzicato, and delve into the intricacies of bow articulation.
Musicians began to adopt the bajo sexto in Texas in the 1920s with the rise of "Tex-Mex" music, and it remains in common use for parts that would be played by the piano in traditional American popular music. The tuning of these instruments is (capital letters are an octave lower than small letters):
The bajo de arco is a type of bass instrument commonly used in traditional Filipino ensembles, particularly in rondalla music. It is a string instrument performed with a bow, similar to a double bass, and provides the deep, resonant bass tones that support the melody and harmony.
The double bass, also called bass VIOL or contrabass, is four-stringed, the largest instrument of the rondalla, shaped like the violin with two f sound holes, provides the fundamental tone, and reinforces the rhythm.
The rondalla is an ensemble of stringed instruments played with the plectrum or pick and generally known as plectrum instruments. It originated in Medieval Spain, especially in the ancient Crown of Aragon: Catalonia, [1] Aragon, Murcia, and Valencia. The tradition was later taken to Spanish America and the Philippines.
The Bass Bajo de Uñas, also known as the Bass Guitar or Double Bass, is a large stringed instrument with a deep, rich sound. It is played by plucking the strings with the fingers or using a pick, creating a low and powerful tone that adds depth to the overall sound of the ensemble.
