A Wisdom Archive on Contrabassist

The instrument's standard English name, "double bass," comes from the instrument's Italian name contrabasso (contrabass). Because the cello is the bass member of the orchestral bowed string instrument family, and the double bass is pitched a minor sixth lower (and is approximately twice the size), the latter instrument is properly called "double bass." The instrument is known by several other names (especially when used in folk, bluegrass, and jazz music), including string bass, upright bass, standup bass, ...

Read more here: » Double bass: Encyclopedia II - Double bass - Naming

The double bass is the largest and lowest bowed string instrument used in the modern symphony orchestra. It is used extensively in Western classical music as a standard member of the string section of symphony orchestras and smaller string ensembles. In addition to its use in classical music, it has been widely used in other genres such as jazz, blues, rock and roll, and bluegrass. Double bass - Origin. The double bass is often erroneously considered to be a member of the violin family of string instruments ... Including:

• Double bass - Origin
• Double bass - Naming
• Double bass - Design
• Double bass - Practical problems of double bass playing
• Double bass - Construction of the double bass
• Double bass - Bows
• Double bass - Tuning
• Double bass - Technique
• Double bass - Playing styles
• Double bass - Double bass bow
• Double bass - Strings
• Double bass - Classical double bass repertoire
• Double bass - Double bass in jazz
• Double bass - Double bass in bluegrass music
• Double bass - Double bass in popular music
• Double bass - Double bassists
• Double bass - Notable classical double bass players of historical importance
• Double bass - Contemporary classical double bass players
• Double bass - Jazz double bass players
• Double bass - Double bass players in other popular genres

Read more here: » Double bass: Encyclopedia - Double bass

Domenico Dragonetti - Venice 1763-1794. He began playing the guitar and the double bass by himself on his father's instruments. He was soon noticed by Doretti, a violonist and composer of ball music, who took him along for public performance in Venice. At the age of twelve, he was placed under the tuition of Berini, the best master for the double bass in Venice, who decided after only eleven lessons that he could not teach the boy anything more. At the age of thirteen, Dragonetti was appointed principal player at the Opera Buffa in Venice. At fourteen he was appointed principal double bass player in the ...

Read more here: » Domenico Dragonetti: Encyclopedia II - Domenico Dragonetti - History

Roger Voisin was with the Boston Symphony at the inception of the Tanglewood Music Center in 1940, and continues to serve on the faculty there, coaching the orchestral winds and teaching solfège to the conducting class. He became chair of the New England Conservatory of Music (NEC) brass and percussion department in 1950 and was the primary trumpet teacher at NEC for nearly 30 years. In 1975 he became a full professor at Boston University, teaching trumpet and chairing the wind, percussion and harp department until his retirement in 1999. I ...

Read more here: » Roger Voisin: Encyclopedia II - Roger Voisin - Teaching Career

Roger Voisin was also very active as an editor for International Music Company, providing over 45 editions for the company. VOISIN EDITIONS: Giuseppe Aldrovandini (1671-1707), Sonata No. 1 for Two Trumpets (International Music Company) Giuseppe Aldrovandini (1665-1707), Sonata No. 2 for Two Trumpets (International Music Company) Giuseppe Aldrovandini (1665-1707), Sonata No. 3 for Two Trumpets (International Music Company) Alexander Arutiunian (b. 1920), Concerto for Trump ...

Read more here: » Roger Voisin: Encyclopedia II - Roger Voisin - Editing Career