The beginning of January means that we have to introduce the first Instrument of the Month this year. We start in a huge way – the distinction goes to the largest string instrument, the string bass.
Let’s learn some interesting facts… The height of the instrument including the end pin is approximately 180–200 cm. However, for some people this was not enough – so attempts were made to construct an even larger string bass. And so inventions measuring 3.9 and even 4.5 meters were created. They are curiosities rather than functional instruments though as they require two people to operate them. And travelling with such a tool could be quite a problem for a musician.
It is clear that the string bass is a string instrument. Often, however, string bassists perform the piece using their fingers and striking both the strings and the body. Fingerplay in this case is typical of jazz music.
In other musical genres, the equivalent of the string bass is the bass guitar.
For more information, e.g. about the lives of double bassists, but also for photographs and sheet music, please visit the Polish Music Library.
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