Bass Fiddle History
The term "bass fiddle" is a nickname for the double bass, a large upright stringed instrument with a flat back. It is also sometimes called the "contrabass" or the "bass violin." It is played standing upright with the neck of the instrument resting on the player's shoulder.
Other People Are Reading
-
Origin
-
The history of the bass fiddle began in the 16th century with the "bass viol," first described in 1566, according to The Columbia Encyclopedia. However, music historian Rodney Slatford claims that similar man-sized instruments were described and drawn in books as early as 1493.
Evolution
-
A number of different design changes have occurred throughout the history of the bass fiddle, including the flattening of the originally curved back and the straightening of the convex bow. All of the instruments in the violin family underwent this latter change, but the bass fiddle was the last to do so. Rodney Slatford says it is the sound of the bass fiddle by which its various incarnations should be identified, rather than the physical characteristics.
-
Sound
-
The bass fiddle is known to have the lowest pitch of all the instruments in the violin family. It encompasses two and one-fourth octaves.
-
References
- Photo Credit jazz estate image by UFOFABRIK from Fotolia.com
