I have had people argue with me at gigs that my instrument is in fact actually a cello-
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Double Bass Had your bass mistaken for a cello?
- Thread starter rolandm
- Start date
i had this happen with my bass at a gig in a TV studio this last weekend. At least they did notice that it was metal and they mentioned that they thought most cellos were made of wood.
I'm a cellist, but play a small bass on some gigs with my husband, who is also a cellist. Never have our cellos been called basses. But the poor bass, yes, gets called that a lot. I figure the identity crisis is my fault as I have it tuned in fifths.
What does happen a lot is our (obvious) quintet (5 players), gets called a string quartet ALL THE TIME by people who should know better. You know the joke: "how many players are there in your quartet?'.
What does happen a lot is our (obvious) quintet (5 players), gets called a string quartet ALL THE TIME by people who should know better. You know the joke: "how many players are there in your quartet?'.
Hmmm, remember, even in a string quintet, the bassist is always invisible. Even if tuned in 5ths.
That's just plain rude. Too far out to even count as a bad joke.
Last edited:
Yeah, but I am the tallest because I am standing, and (hee hee) I am electrified. Never go anywhere without my amp/cab.
I totally agree. And for that I have developed a killer eye-roll.
At least my cello has not (yet) been confused for my electric bass at gigs.
I walked into a music building with a friend, and we were met with a fairly unpleasant whining wail, prompting her to ask, "is that an oboe, or is somebody vacuuming?"
Earl
Supporting Member
Last week on a break the bartender said to me "oh you play my favorite instrument, the big cello", I said well it's called a bass, and she said "oh a bass cello!". Then last night a couple and their two kids were eating at a table and the husband says to me "would you please tell my wife that you are playing a violin, she thinks it's a bass"
Kids play cellos sometimes in elementary school.
Kids play double bass never in elementary school.
Maybe it's just that simple?
Kids play double bass never in elementary school.
Maybe it's just that simple?
My wife keeps calling my bass a cello. I think she does it to knock me down a peg or two... or maybe it's size envy stewing it on, since she plays fiddle? 
I've had my EUB referred to as an "electric cello" a few times, I just laugh it off because at least they have come out to the gig.
What I couldn't understand though was when my Violin bass was called a banjo. Of all the common stringed instruments it resemble one the least.
What I couldn't understand though was when my Violin bass was called a banjo. Of all the common stringed instruments it resemble one the least.
I play banjo, mandolin, dobro, flute and now double bass (and ubass)... I've heard so many salty jokes about banjos and banjo players over the last 50 years that I've stopped being annoyed when people call an instrument that I'm playing something else... It is sort of funny to see how wrong people can be, but it's also kind of sad because it reflects how poorly music education reaches the general population, for whatever reasons.
