What do you need to do to tune a double bass in fifths?

Question

I would like to play the double bass in my school's jazz band next year, and because I already play cello, want to use CGDA tuning.

My question is, would I need to buy special strings or something to do this? Or would it just be a simple matter of turning the pegs till it's a second or third off and then just playing it like a big cello?

Answer 1

No you can't simply retune, the strings could snap or simply sound awful. In the long run the normal tuning will work out better as it would make you a more versatile player. The bass itself, at least most, could handle the higher pressure, after all there are 5 string basses with a high C. Spirocore brand and I think Obligato too, make a set tuned in 5ths the same as cello tuning, ADGC, so if you really want, it is available, they are pitched one octave below the cello.

Answer 2

The double bass tuning is standard E A D G. Many orchestral players use an extension to allow the low string to play down to a C one octave below the C of a cello. However. As a double bass player you would need to play music written for the instrument. This would require that you learn to play the instrument in the standard tuning.

Answer 3

Most string basses would not be able to stand the extra tension created. It would also make the intervals on the bass so much larger than the cello that you would have problems.

Learning the Bass after knowing the cello should only take a short period of time to adjust. Stick with the Tuning in 4ths.

Answer 4

As previously stated, simply retuning the instrument is not going to be a good idea for you because the distance between half steps is so much larger on the double bass that you would not be able to use your regular cello fingerings. A good resource for you to look at to learn some good fingerings is the New Method for the Double Bass by F. Simandl. Going through the first 20-40 pages of that book will give you a great starting point for playing bass and as a cellist shouldn't take you very long. This would be a worthwhile summer project for you if you want to start playing bass in jazz band next year. Happy practicing!

Answer 5

You wouldn't be able to do cello fingerings unless your hands are unusually large. Learning to play with the standard tuning shouldn't take that long.