Bass

Suggested

Range

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Suggested

Ranges

General Information

The primary roll of the basses is to provide the tonal foundation for the orchestra. This foundation is often reinforced with the cellos, playing the bass part one octave higher. The basses do perform melodies and counter lines as well. But it is those simple low tones at the bottom of a rich chord or melody that best define the role of the basses. Typically, there are eight basses in the orchestra's bass section. They can perform all the techniques common to every orchestral stringed instrument, such as pizzicatos, tremolos and trills. For a more complete discussion of these techniques, refer to the Strings-General chapter.

 Tuning

The bass has four strings - E, A, D and G.

 It's interesting to note that while the other orchestral stringed instruments have strings that are tuned a perfect 5th apart, the bass strings are tuned a perfect 4th apart.

Notation

Bass parts are always written in the Bass clef. Unlike the other stringed instruments whose parts are written at concert pitch, the bass part is notated one octave higher than it sounds.  

Range

Traditionally, the lowest written note for the bass is E1 (an octave plus a minor 6th below Middle C). However, many basses are now equipped with a C extension, making C1 - a Major 3rd below that E1 - the lowest note (and including all the notes in between). Its highest note varies, depending upon the player, but a safe top written note would be D5 (an octave plus a Major 2nd above Middle C).

Concert Pitch

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