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double bass vs cello

Double Bass vs Cello Explained: What is the Difference?

Posted on September 15, 2023September 13, 2023 by The Tune Catcher

Double bass vs cello: The four main instruments from the violin family are viola, violin, cello and bass. Out of these four instruments, cello and bass (also called double bass) have similar looks and features but they are not the same. Coming from the same family instruments, the characteristics are widely similar but some basic characteristics that put them apart make them more unique and distinguishable.

Figuring out the difference between double bass and cello is difficult for people with non-music or instrumental background. So, how will you be able to select an instrument between cello and double bass? We will make it simple for you by clearly stating the difference between the two and help you choose the one that is most suitable for you. Let’s get started!

Table of Content
 [show]
  • What is Cello?
  • What is Double Bass?
  • Double Bass vs Cello: Difference Between Cello and Double Bass
    • 1. Size
    • 2. Transposition
    • 3. Range
    • 4. Tuning
    • 5. Strings & Octaves
    • 6. Sound
    • 7. Playing Position
  • Conclusion

What is Cello?

Cello is a four-string violin family instrument. It is tuned to perfect fifths starting from low to high pitch sound. Cello is a large instrument played when seated, the instrument is supported by the endpin, right hand plays the bow (sometime pluck) the strings to generate sound and left hand on the bridge to create a high pitch sound.

What is Double Bass?

Among all the string instruments in violin family, double bass (also known as bass) is the largest instrument and it generates the lowest pitch sound. Due to its sound type, this modern bow string instrument is used to generate sound of different genres like blues, jazz, rock and roll, country music, tango, rockabilly, folk music, and many more.

Also Read: Cello vs Violin: What are the Similarities and Differences?

Double Bass vs Cello: Difference Between Cello and Double Bass

Since both bass vs cello are from the same instrument family, their look and sound pitch are very similar. But both the instruments are quite different from each other. Let’s delve into the parameters that make them different.

1. Size

Both the instruments are larger than all the other instruments in the violin family but the look clear cut says that one is large and the second is larger than the first. Though both come in different sizes, a full-size double bass is huge, they come in sizes like 6’5” and sometimes even 7’5”. Whereas a full-size cello comes maximum up to the size of 5’6”. So, even when they look similar, while you characterize the most basic difference between bass and cello, bass is huge and cello is comparatively smaller in size.

2. Transposition

Transposition is when the notes that you play from the page of the musical book are same notes that you hear. Cello is a non-transposing instrument whereas double is a transposing instrument. This is because the double bass sounds an octave which is lower than written sound of the note. So, an instrument that has transposing sound does not generate the same sound as that of the one written in the notes.

3. Range

Basically, in the Baroque times, there were no double bass and only cellos were used to generate low pitch sound but with the orchestral music coming in light, there was a need to match the tonal qualities of some the woodwind instruments for which double bass was created to get more low ends in terms of sound.

4. Tuning

Like all the string instruments from the violin family, cello strings are tuned on the fifths, so when you play the notes, it goes from C, G, D and A (when open). But double bass strings are tuned on the fourths which reads like E, A, D and G when played open.

5. Strings & Octaves

The notes range of the two instruments overlap each other because even when both have four strings, double bass is tuned on the fourths which makes the combination of E1, A1, D2, and G2 whereas cello is tuned on the fifths which makes the combination of C2, G2, D3, and A3. This increases the differences between the diatonic notes by six and changes the sounds that comes out of both the instruments completely from each other.

6. Sound

Both the instruments have unique and different sounds. Cello has a tenor key that generates resonant and rich sound whereas double bass has an octave range that generates deeper and versatile sound. Hence, cello has its place on the large symphony orchestra while the bass has it positioned majorly in the western music production.

7. Playing Position

Cello is played by sitting on a chair and resting the metal pin on the floor below while playing it with both hands. For playing bass too, you must rest the metal pin on the floor and play it standing because of the huge size of the instrument. Some instrumentalists also play the bass by sitting on a high chair.

Also Read: Ukulele vs Guitar: What are the Similarities and Differences?

Conclusion

When we compare cello vs double bass, both are very similar since they come from the same family of instruments. But have vast differences in terms of looks, sound, how and where they are played. So, you can decide on the basis of the type of sound and type of place you want to play the instrument, that will help you finalize on the instrument which is best suitable for you.

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