Double Bass "Upright" or "Double" Bass?

[Steve Freides]

Silly question, perhaps, but what do we properly call, in English, this instrument we play? I used to use "Upright Bass" more than "Double Bass" but I'm thinking I'm in the minority.

An history/logic about this choice?

TIA.

-S-

 

[Herbie 80's]

Sometimes, I actually find the term 'upright bass', 'string bass', or most things besides double bass or contrebasse demeaning. I don't know why.

 

[Michael Case]

I double so I just say bass, then further clarify when needed. But I've grown to prefer double bass.

 

[AClark]

I say double bass but unfortunately, when I say that, most people Don't know what I'm talking about so I have to say upright and THEN they get it.
Also I've noticed people who mainly play bass guitar use the term "upright" and people who mainly play double (or upright ) bass say "double bass".
Just something I've noticed. there is no right or wrong.

 

[Buxtehude]

Call it unfretted 'violone'.

 

[drurb]

I say double bass and if I get a confused look, then I make the classic hand/arm motions.

 

[Don Higdon]

I've run out of patience. I'm tired of pampering ignorant people, because ignorance is a choice people make. I say double bass, and if they don't get it, I look at them like I expect them to know; I pause long enough for them to feel awkward before offering any clarification.
I'm enjoying my senior years.

 

[Stick_Player]

Call it: "Dog House".

 

[Thumpie]

"String bass" is fine, but "upright" gets on my nerves.

I call it "bass" or "double bass."

To clarify, I explain that the lesser instrument should be called "bass guitar," or "toy bass."

 

[tomersg]

here its called contrabass. very simple.

 

[El Thumpo]

Classic hand motions for me, too. People almost never understand without 'em.

As to the terminology: I wish it was called "contrabass" here in the States as well. In fact, we should start a campaign to take that up! I know "double bass" is the preferred term here, but much confusion comes from the fact that there's also a double bass drum (and from the whole "double" business in general).

When people call it "upright" or "standup" or "string", I don't bother to correct them.

 

[MustacheJoeII]

If I'm playing bass guitar, I say that I'm playing bass guitar, bass or the Watt-fiddle.

When I play bass, I say that I'm playing bass, double bass, contrebass, contrabass, bass viol, standup bass, upright bass, dog house or whateverelse I feel like calling it. I never call it bass violin. I'm one of those guys.

When I play tuba, I call it tuba, BBb tuba, BBb bass, or brass bass.

When I play Sousaphone, I call it Sousaphone.

When I play organ, I call it "foot bass."

When I saw Jr. high girls play the little two octave Rhodes keyboard back when I was in Jr. high, I called it "Bass Hand."

When I play mandolin I call it "Ultra-High Backwards Bass."

I hope this clears up everything for an English as a Learning Language (which is the most politically correct way of saying that).

 

[chuck3]

ha ha at that ^^^^^

I call it "upright." For better or worse, that's what people understand, at least in my world.

I understand all the other terminology, but I gotta communicate with the rest of the human race. Few understand "double bass" and no one understands "contrabass." "String bass" is cool and kind of how I think of it, but no one gets that either.

 

[GrowlerBox]

The ebay purveyors of a fine BSO currently under discussion in the Basses forum got it covered with their "upright standup double bass" moniker. You get the hand movements for an extra $19.95.

 

[Chris Symer]

I refer to my electric as a bass or electric bass, the other thing I play I call the "big bass". I like the big bass. I also sometimes refer to violins as soprano basses.

 

[Roger Davis]

I call mine a double bass - always have. But sometimes I call it a string bass to contrast it with a Sousaphone and an upright bass to distinguish (and I use the word advisedly!) it from a bass guitar. Simples.

 

[KillerPenguin]

Its called Contrabasso in Greece too by the way. and everybody gets it. If I call it the greek word for "upright bass", NOBODY ever gets it for some reason.

 

[bassist1962]

It depends on who I am talking to.

Having had some Classical training, I call it Double Bass.

My parents (It's dad's bass from his musician days - Jazz) - String Bass, or Bass Violin.

For the rockers - Acoustic Bass.

For my kids - The Big Bass

For the totally clueless - Stand Up.

Everyone else - Upright.

Most often used by me - Double, Upright, Acoustic, Big.

 

[Don Higdon]

Maybe we need a new phrase. How can it be a stand up bass if the player is sitting?

 

[arnoldschnitzer]

David Gage said he believes the term "double bass" is disrespectful, as the bass does so much more than double the cello parts. He likes the name "string bass". Me too...