Double bass

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The double bass is either plucked or played using a bow, this depends on the type of music
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The double bass is either plucked or played using a bow, this depends on the type of music

The double bass is the largest bowed stringed instrument in the modern orchestra, also used frequently in jazz ensembles, especially played pizzicato (plucked). The double bass, usually considered a member of the violin family, has the sloping shoulders and flat back characteristic of the viols (an old string instrument). It is also called bass fiddle, bass viol; bull fiddle, contrabass; and the string bass.