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In terms of sound, there’s a clear difference between a cello vs upright bass. The cello is the string instrument that carries the tenor voice of the orchestra. Its tone is richer and deeper than that of the violin. The bass, on the other hand, can achieve an extra octave range.
- Cellos and basses are members of the violin family. Both are built like violins and violas, and are played similarly. Cellos and basses feature a neck, hollow body, and four strings supported by a bridge.
- Cellos and basses have different ranges. The cello has a tenor range, while the bass has a lower “bass” range. Specifically, cellos can play notes from C2 - A5, giving them a range of just under five octaves.
- Basses and cellos are different sizes. Basses are much larger and heavier than cellos. A full-size bass is roughly 6 feet (1.8 meters) tall and spans 26 inches (66 cm) at its widest point.
- Cellos are tuned differently than basses. A cello is tuned in fifths, while a bass is tuned in fourths. Specifically, a cello’s four strings are usually tuned to C2, G2, D3, A3, lowest to highest.
While a cello is tuned in perfect fifths, the bass is tuned in fourths, making it the only modern bowed string instrument to be tuned that way. Furthermore, a cello uses tuning pegs on the side of its scroll, whereas the bass uses tuning “machines” mounted on the side of the scroll (see image).
Jun 16, 2022 · In this article, we’ll go through the main differences between the cello and the bass, discussing size, price, sound, playing position, difficulty in learning, repertoire, and work opportunities for each.
May 4, 2024 · The cello and double bass feature four strings, but they differ in length, thickness, and material, affecting their tonal and playability characteristics. The double bass’s strings are thicker and longer, contributing to its lower pitch and requiring a more forceful bow technique.
There are five key differences between a cello and bass that are important to take into account when deciding which instrument you should invest your time and money into: size, sound, tuning, playing position, and difficulty.
Dec 5, 2020 · What's the difference between cello and bass? Here, you'll find a point-by-point, cello vs. bass comparison to tell these instruments apart.
