The first thing that you need to understand when it comes to comparing a stand up bass against a regular bass is that despite the similar naming structure, these are actually two very different instruments. The term "bass" is used to refer to an entire family of musical instruments that emit sound within the lower end of the frequency spectrum. In other words, the sound that causes the floors to shake and the windows to rattle when the radio is too loud is your basic bass sound. The stand up bass and the regular bass are both common bass instruments, but each is completely unique in appearance, the subtleties in the sound that they emit as well as the manner in which they are played.

Stand Up Bass

The bass instrument that is referred to as a stand up bass is also referred to as a double bass. This happens to be the largest and the lowest pitched of all bowed string instruments, and it is designed to be used in modern symphony orchestras. The double bass or stand up bass is a large instrument that stands up on one end and is meant to be played by a seated musician, which is one of the characteristics that allows it to differ from the regular bass, which is an instrument that is played standing up.

The stand up bass, like many other stringed instruments, is played using either with a bow or by simply plucking the strings. Playing the stand up bass with a bow is an act known as arco, and plucking the strings is known as pizzicato. Both bowing and plucking methods of playing music with the stand up bass are used when it comes to tango music and orchestral repertoire. Although the stand up bass is a member of the bass family, it is a descendant of the viola de gamba and the violin, and is considered to be a member of the violin family.

Regular Bass

The bass instrument that is referred to as a regular bass is actually an acoustic bass guitar. Also referred to as an acoustic bass or an ABG, the regular bass is a bass instrument that has a hollow wooden body that is similar in style to though usually considerably larger than a steel string acoustic guitar instrument. The regular bass is held or worn against the body as a guitar would be, though it is generally larger than a standard acoustic guitar, and produces a completely different sound.

As far as the differences between the regular bass and the stand up bass go, there is no reason to say whether one is a better instrument than the other. Both are a part of the bass family, but they are quite unique in unique in appearance, the subtleties in the sound that they emit as well as the manner in which they are played. Additionally, both instruments are used in different types of music, with the stand up bass finding the most use in classical and orchestral music, as well as jazz, blues and tango music, and the regular bass guitar finding more use in rock music and more modern music both in acoustic and electric formats.

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Originally posted 2008-10-22 05:45:12. Republished by Old Post Promoter

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Acoustic Musical Instruments, Bass, Guitars

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abg, acoustic bass guitar, basic bass, bass family, bass instrument, bass instruments, bass sound, bowed string instruments, different instruments, double bass, frequency spectrum, orchestral repertoire, pizzicato, playing music, stringed instruments, subtleties, symphony orchestras, tango music, viola de gamba, violin family