contrabasses
Orchestra's lowest voices
Contrabasses are the largest and lowest-pitched instruments in a family—most often the double bass in orchestral settings.
The term applies to any instrument pitched an octave below the bass register: contrabass clarinet, contrabass tuba.
The contrabasses anchored the orchestra's low end.
Extended composition for orchestra
- philharmonicLarge orchestra organization
- stringsThin flexible lines
- sectionDistinct divided part
- conductorOne who directs musicians
score · ensemble · chamber · concerto · opera · overture · tutti · principal
Deep-voiced bowed instrument
- violaMidrange bowed instrument
- violinBowed string instrument
- double-bassLargest bowed string instrument
- three-quarterSeventy-five percent portion
Bending forward in deference
- arcoPlay with bow
- pizzicatoString-plucking technique
- vibratoOscillating pitch effect
- shiftingChanging position or form
spiccato · tremolo · double-stops · harmonics · glissando · portamento · fingering · intonation
Amplified oscillation at natural frequency
- sonorousDeep and full-toned
- rumbleLow rolling sound
- boomingExperiencing rapid growth
- low-pitchedHaving a bass frequency
thunderous · vibrations · depth · timbre · undertone · warm · rich · growl
Solo comedic performance
- swingSuspended recreational seat
- improvisationSpontaneous, unplanned creation
- bebopFast, complex jazz style
- grooveNarrow cut or routine
riff · solo · combo · gig · syncopation · bluegrass · rockabilly
symphony
Extended composition for orchestra
- philharmonicLarge orchestra organization
- stringsThin flexible lines
- sectionDistinct divided part
conductor · score · ensemble · chamber · concerto · opera · overture · tutti · principal · repertoire
cello
Deep-voiced bowed instrument
- violaMidrange bowed instrument
- violinBowed string instrument
- double-bassLargest bowed string instrument
bowing
Bending forward in deference
shifting · spiccato · tremolo · double-stops · harmonics · glissando · portamento · fingering · intonation · legato
resonance
Amplified oscillation at natural frequency
low-pitched · thunderous · vibrations · depth · timbre · undertone · warm · rich · growl · sustain
standup
Solo comedic performance
- swingSuspended recreational seat
- improvisationSpontaneous, unplanned creation
- bebopFast, complex jazz style
groove · riff · solo · combo · gig · syncopation · bluegrass · rockabilly
wooden
Made from timber
f-holes · soundpost · bass-bar · tailpiece · purfling · scroll · fingerboard · bridge · neck · ribs