How many of you have experienced this?

Almost every night.

 

The two most abundant elements in the universe: hydrogen, and stupidity.

 

When I play my electric bass people think it's a guitar and when I play my double bass people think it's a cello. Sometimes I think bass is the Rodney Dangerfield of musical instruments.

- Steve

 

So the dude walked up and tried to be cool with you guys and in doing so, revealed some ignorance about the type of instrument you were using, so you made him feel uncomfortable until he went away? Way to promote your skills, dude.

 

I've often had people call my bass a 'cello. I don't get offended or snobby about it, I correct them and if they're keen to listen I point out the differences and give them a brief history of the instrument. And then I play a few mean-ass licks.

 

I saw an acoustic trio a few weeks ago that used a cello as a bass instrument. It was a bluegrassy Americana-type thing and it sounded cool enough for me to start keeping an eye out for a cheap deal on a cello from now on.

 

My wife has been thinking of taking up the cello for a couple of years now, nd she's finally getting one for her birthday next month. I'm quite keen to give it a crack

 

Give it a go, it's a very pleasing instrument to play.

The 'violincello' is the original bass instrument. The double bass was kinda like the sub woofer of its time, 'double' referring to its register an octave lower than the standard bass of the time.

 

Although, the name "violoncello" means "small violone", violone being a name for the double bass and it's ancestors.

- Steve

 

Man, you guys are making me want to play the cello again.

 

Yeah I was kinda.....thinking the same thing. No need to be rude.

 

Yeh, you're right, I kinda got that arse-about. There were larger instruments about at the time, although the violones went out of fashion in the late 17th century (?) and were largely replaced by the 'cello.

 

There are some long threads on this board regarding people calling the double bass a cello. But I think the weirdest one was a bassist who reported that a young guy and his date came up to the band stand and the guy asked "Is that a cello?" When the bassist replied, no, the guy turned to the girl and said, "See, it's an oboe."

 

Classic.

 

Much of the allure of a double bass is its sheer physical size. People love them. If someone comments about the instrument when I'm shlepping it around I ususally tell them it's a double bass, also called a doghouse or contrabass, and pizz out a scale or two. Not many people in this world can afford such an instrument, let alone have the time and inclination to learn to play. Be grateful that you can share your passion.

 

I like the ones who insist that it's a cello even after you explain to them that it's a bass.

Bystander: Oh, I see you play the cello

Bassist who's played for 30 years and by now knows exactly which instrument he's carrying: No, it's actually a bass.

Bystander: Oh, no. That's definitely a cello.

 

A couple of years ago I bought a Wilfer from Ideal Music in Manhattan and went home on the Metro-North Railroad.

As I'm wrestling my new bass up the aisle of the train, some woman with a strong Long Island accent screams "OH MY GAAAAWD! IS THAT A GUITAH?"

 

I have to say, if you are familiar with instruments generally and yet insist the large wooden thing is a cello even after being told by its owner that it is indeed a bass, you might not be very bright.