4 ms·

A lot of speculation but no real answers. I find the argument about resonances between strings to be spurious since it really only applies to notes played on op

by dhosek 5y ago

A lot of speculation but no real answers. I find the argument about resonances between strings to be spurious since it really only applies to notes played on open strings which are a distinct minority of the notes played (not to mention that there are distinct advantages to avoiding open strings, such as the lack of the ability to apply vibrato on an open string). Ultimately, it's a matter of string length, I think. It's worth noting that in the cello, viola and violin, all four fingers are used independently in fingering notes, but on the double bass (unless you're Joel Quarrington), you finger 1, 2, and 3+4 together since the littlest finger doesn't quite have the strength to press the string down on its own and the ring finger doesn't have the reach of the little finger. But, like all the respondents in the discussion, I don't really know either.

analog31 5y ago
Also, bass is most commonly tuned in fourths unless you're Red Mitchell.
kayson 5y ago
Your point about resonances isn't really true. The other strings can resonate "sympathetically" even when you play a fingered note. For example, vibrato can be achieved on open strings by vibrating on the finger position that corresponds to the note an octave higher than the open string. This is mostly used for the open G string, since as the lowest note, it can't be played anywhere else on the instrument. But its also used on other strings for different colors. Sympathetic resonance is also why some keys sound better on a violin than others. Violinists tend to like the keys with sharps: G D A E
- dhosek 5y ago
  But that's not connected to fifths tuning. It can happen with any tuning (one “trick” with a dual neck 6/12 string electric guitar is to tune the strings on the 12-string neck to each of the diatonic pitches so they resonate with whatever note is played on the 6-string neck, and then of course there are the sympathetic strings on Indian stringed instruments which have a similar function). Curiously, while orchestral strings tend to be more comfortable in the sharp keys, as a double bass player, I was equally at home (if not more so) in the flat keys that tend to be favored by winds.

by dhosek 5y ago

analog31 5y ago

Also, bass is most commonly tuned in fourths unless you're Red Mitchell.

kayson 5y ago

Your point about resonances isn't really true. The other strings can resonate "sympathetically" even when you play a fingered note. For example, vibrato can be achieved on open strings by vibrating on the finger position that corresponds to the note an octave higher than the open string. This is mostly used for the open G string, since as the lowest note, it can't be played anywhere else on the instrument. But its also used on other strings for different colors. Sympathetic resonance is also why some keys sound better on a violin than others. Violinists tend to like the keys with sharps: G D A E

dhosek 5y ago
But that's not connected to fifths tuning. It can happen with any tuning (one “trick” with a dual neck 6/12 string electric guitar is to tune the strings on the 12-string neck to each of the diatonic pitches so they resonate with whatever note is played on the 6-string neck, and then of course there are the sympathetic strings on Indian stringed instruments which have a similar function). Curiously, while orchestral strings tend to be more comfortable in the sharp keys, as a double bass player, I was equally at home (if not more so) in the flat keys that tend to be favored by winds.