The double bass, or simply the bass (and
numerous other names), is the largest and lowest-pitched
bowedstring instrument in the modern
symphony orchestra. It is a
transposing instrument and is typically notated one
octave higher than tuned to avoid excessive ledger lines below the staff.The double bass is played with a bow (arco) or by plucking the strings (
pizzicato). In orchestral repertoire and tango music, both arco and pizzicato are employed. In jazz, blues, and rockabilly, pizzicato is the norm. Classical music uses the natural sound produced acoustically by the instrument, as does
traditional bluegrass. In jazz, blues, and related genres, the bass is frequently
amplified.