Chameleon Double Bass Double Bass as Solo Instrument? Tunings Playing Techniques I Playing Techniques II New Dutch School

500 Years of Double Bass

The double bass, with its more than 500 years of history, is one of the oldest instruments still to play a part in modern musical life. Recent decades have seen much research and many publications covering the story of its development. Far less is known about the following subjects:

Chameleon Double Bass
What does the double bass have in common with the vari-colour reptile?

Double Bass as Solo Instrument?
"No way!" say some – "Absolutely!" say others. Read some background, and form your own opinion.

Tunings
Tune it up – the following articles have nothing to do with auto engines, but with strings. How many, and what are the choices for tuning them?

Playing Techniques I
How was the double bass played earlier? How is it played today? Some remarks on playing techniques for the "bull fiddle".

Playing Techniques II
An Arab autodidact has turned traditional techniques completely topsy turvy. Find out more.

New Dutch School
What does "The New Dutch School" refer to?
Find out here.