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double bass
(bās)
the largest and deepest-toned instrument of the violin family (formerly, of the viol family), with a range of approximately three octaves
See double bass in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
The largest bowed stringed instrument in the modern orchestra, also used frequently in jazz ensembles, especially played pizzicato. The double bass, usually considered a member of the violin family, is tuned in fourths and has the sloping shoulders and flat back characteristic of the viols. It has a deep range, going as low as three octaves below middle C. Also called bass fiddle, bass viol, bull fiddle, contrabass, string bass.
Origin:
Origin: double, tuned an octave lower than (from the fact that a string or pipe that is twice the length of another gies a pitch an octave lower)
Origin: + bass2
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