Page "Double bass" Paragraph 69

The double bass as a solo instrument enjoyed a period of popularity during the 18th century and many of the most popular composers from that era wrote pieces for the double bass.

The double bass, then often referred to as the Violone used different tunings from region to region.

The " Viennese tuning " ( A < sup > 1 </ sup >- D-F-A ) was popular, and in some cases a fifth string or even sixth string was added ( F < sup > 1 </ sup >- A < sup > 1 </ sup >- D-F-A ).

The popularity of the instrument is documented in Leopold Mozart's second edition of his Violinschule, where he writes " One can bring forth difficult passages easier with the five-string violone, and I heard unusually beautiful performances of concertos, trios, solos, etc.