contrabass
Lowest orchestral string
Contrabass refers to the lowest-pitched instruments in their family.
The contrabass most often means the double bass—the largest and deepest-voiced member of the string section in an orchestra.
The term also modifies other instruments to indicate an extra-low register: contrabass clarinet, contrabass tuba.
As an adjective, it describes that lowest range: the contrabass voice of the ensemble.
String-plucking technique
- arcoPlay with bow
- bowingBending forward in deference
- vibratoOscillating pitch effect
- intonationPitch variation in speech
slap · shifting · double-stops · harmonics · tremolo · spiccato · glissando · portamento
Large instrumental ensemble
- symphonyExtended composition for orchestra
- philharmonicLarge orchestra organization
- conductorOne who directs musicians
- concertoSolo-and-orchestra composition
chamber · quartet · quintet · sextet · octet · recital · soloist · section
Amplified oscillation at natural frequency
- timbreSound's distinctive character
- depthDistance below surface
- richnessState of abundance
- warmthHeat you feel
rumble · sustain · overtones · projection · acoustic · wooden · tone · fullness
Spontaneous, unplanned creation
- bebopFast, complex jazz style
- swingSuspended recreational seat
- grooveNarrow cut or routine
- comboItems grouped together
standards · upright · Mingus · plucking · thumping · gig · bandstand
Neat; also a conifer
- mapleSap-yielding hardwood tree
- ebonyDense dark tropical wood
- f-holesViolin's resonance vents
- soundpostInternal violin support rod
tailpiece · purfling · varnish · luthier · fingerboard · bridge · scroll · nut
Thin flexible lines
- celloDeep-voiced bowed instrument
- violaMidrange bowed instrument
- violinBowed string instrument
- harmonyAgreement or musical blend
polyphony · blend · balance · unison · doubling · foundation · accompaniment · countermelody
pizzicato
String-plucking technique
intonation · slap · shifting · double-stops · harmonics · tremolo · spiccato · glissando · portamento · drone
orchestra
Large instrumental ensemble
- symphonyExtended composition for orchestra
- philharmonicLarge orchestra organization
- conductorOne who directs musicians
concerto · chamber · quartet · quintet · sextet · octet · recital · soloist · section · strings
resonance
Amplified oscillation at natural frequency
warmth · rumble · sustain · overtones · projection · acoustic · wooden · tone · fullness · dark
improvisation
Spontaneous, unplanned creation
combo · standards · upright · Mingus · plucking · thumping · gig · bandstand
spruce
Neat; also a conifer
soundpost · tailpiece · purfling · varnish · luthier · fingerboard · bridge · scroll · nut · saddle
strings
Thin flexible lines
harmony · polyphony · blend · balance · unison · doubling · foundation · accompaniment · countermelody · orchestration
contrabasspiccolo
Small, high-pitched woodwind
high-pitched · soprano · treble · high · descant
contrabasspiccolo
Small, high-pitched woodwind
ukulele · mandolin · tin whistle · violin · pochette
contrabassviolin
Bowed string instrument
first violin · viola · cello