Endpin

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The endpin is the component of a cello or double bass that makes contact with the floor. It is made of metal, or in some cases wood or carbon fiber, and is extensible from the bottom of the instrument, and secured with a thumbscrew. Most bass clarinets and contrabassoons also have a similar fixture.

[edit] Types of endpins

Endpins are usually tipped with a point to stick into the floor, which is sometimes capped with black rubber to preserve the floor's surface and provide friction. Generally, endpins are parallel to the long axis of the instrument, but some cellists fit their instruments with a Tortelier-style endpin, which angles more towards the floor, improving mobility at the expense of stability. Also, some endpins have a secondary extension for tall musicians. The endpin also may have notches cut in it, allowing it to have extra holding strength at these points.

[edit] Endpin stoppers

Left-hand pressure on a cello fingerboard, acting against the fulcrum of the player's chest and/or knees, may cause the endpin to slip forward on the floor. To prevent this slippage, objects known as "endpin stoppers" (sometimes shortened to "pinstops,"), "endpin anchors," or "rock stops" are sometimes placed between the endpin and the floor to add surface area and enhance friction.

Endpin stoppers may stand alone, may have a strap with a ring or other means of anchoring to the musician's chair, or may take the form of a T-square whose head fits behind the chair's front legs. One very common type consists of a pliable disc surrounding a circular cup to hold the endpin's tip. (The "Black Hole" is an example of this type.)

Basses do not always require stoppers, being heavier and usually played in a more vertical orientation than a cello. However, bassists often use rockstops when sitting on a stool or when playing on high-glossed floors or uneven surfaces.

[edit] Endpins and flooring

Pointed endpins can cause extensive damage, especially to tile and wooden flooring. Many music rooms bear evidence of this in a myriad of small holes. Here, rubber tips and/or stoppers are beneficial. On carpet, the damage is less extensive. The bare tip is thus most effective in outdoor conditions and old flooring where the damage will not be as serious. however the sharper the endpin, the more likely it is to go through the standard rubber tip.