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Double Bass "Upright" or "Double" Bass?
- Thread starter Steve Freides
- Start date
I haven't thought much about it since almost 10 years ago when I was a DB newbie and a TB newbie, too. We had a discussion on the topic back then.
The more I think about it, the more I too think "string bass" is the most descriptive. It's the bass instrument in the strings family. You don't get that clarity from "double bass" or "contrabass", which try to name the beast based on its function. ("Contrabass", I'd suggest, is more common in the classical and/or European context.) "Upright" and "standup" are reactions to the EBG, I think.
I'm switching to string bass.
The more I think about it, the more I too think "string bass" is the most descriptive. It's the bass instrument in the strings family. You don't get that clarity from "double bass" or "contrabass", which try to name the beast based on its function. ("Contrabass", I'd suggest, is more common in the classical and/or European context.) "Upright" and "standup" are reactions to the EBG, I think.
I'm switching to string bass.
Very interesting - is there any other instrument with such a long list of names, and such lack of consensus among players, I wonder?
-S-
-S-
I sometimes use "vertical" and "horizontal". "String bass" is slightly archaic, as it differentiates between "brass" bass and the stringed kind, but it's the term I most often use. Ultimately, I don't care what anyone calls it as long as I'm getting paid to play it.
Up here in Inwood, it's "contrabajo", and the way you learn to play it is "Con mucho trabajo".
You all should hear some of the names people come up with for Pedal Steel Guitar.
Up here in Inwood, it's "contrabajo", and the way you learn to play it is "Con mucho trabajo".
You all should hear some of the names people come up with for Pedal Steel Guitar.
But that implies that the slab instruments don't have strings! Which they do. "String bass" seems to confuse people, in my experience.
My own preferences aside: I think that from the clarity/communication standpoint, "upright bass" seems to work best.
(Also, the electric version is an EUB, not an ESB or an EAB.)
Jazzdogg
Less barking, more wagging!
- Jul 8, 2009
- 1,612
- 11
- Disclosures
- A&R, Soulless Corporation Records
To family - Big bass, standup, upright
To orchestra members/bandmates - Bass
Anyone else - Upright, standup
To orchestra members/bandmates - Bass
Anyone else - Upright, standup
They are all just names.
I tend to call it bass in the first instance, then if necessary expand according to context. Double bass and upright are the most common names, but if some old guy comes up to me at a jazz gig and says "Ah, the bull fiddle / dog house...brings back memories" I am happy to have made them smile. And sometimes they say "Ahh...a REAL bass!!!"
Same as I have to get used to calling the music "charts" at a jazz gig, and "parts" in orchestral.
Next time some one asks you what your bass is called, maybe introduce it as "Ludwig" or "Walter"?
I tend to call it bass in the first instance, then if necessary expand according to context. Double bass and upright are the most common names, but if some old guy comes up to me at a jazz gig and says "Ah, the bull fiddle / dog house...brings back memories" I am happy to have made them smile. And sometimes they say "Ahh...a REAL bass!!!"
Same as I have to get used to calling the music "charts" at a jazz gig, and "parts" in orchestral.
Next time some one asks you what your bass is called, maybe introduce it as "Ludwig" or "Walter"?
My bass is named Harold, and musicians that know this ask me to "bring Harold" if they want him on a gig.
I started this thread for a very practical reason - I'm getting a new batch of business cards made up. The last batch said "upright bass" and that seemed to confuse as many people as it informed. I play about a half-dozen different instruments and need to say what I teach in a way that's brief, so something like
upright bass (you know, double bass, the big thing)
is kind of out.
I also play/teach electric bass - I'm wondering if I just say "bass" if that's sufficient.
"What's in a name?"
-S-
upright bass (you know, double bass, the big thing)
is kind of out.
I also play/teach electric bass - I'm wondering if I just say "bass" if that's sufficient.
"What's in a name?"
-S-
No, IMHO. In most instances today, when I say that I play the bass, the other person assumes I mean bass guitar, and in order to convey (mis)understanding, goes into the guitar playing pantomine.
Your business card should not require verbal supplement. A picture or even a drawn representation will clarify it. My card shows only a picture of the scroll. That's enough to show that it's not a slab.
Good point about having pictures on the business card.
I do, however, have two kinds of business card, and my other one's a guitar pick - no room for pictures on that, just a very few words, and I"ve got to order another batch of those, too. I think I'm going to go with "double bass" this time where I had "upright bass" last time and see how that works.
-S-
I do, however, have two kinds of business card, and my other one's a guitar pick - no room for pictures on that, just a very few words, and I"ve got to order another batch of those, too. I think I'm going to go with "double bass" this time where I had "upright bass" last time and see how that works.
-S-
