Talk:Octobass
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[edit] In English?
What does this mean in English:? "It's lowest string is tuned to Do of subcontroctave (16,35 Hz)" Badagnani 06:07, 1 December 2005 (UTC)
- The sub-contra octave occupies the range from C[0] 16.352 Hz to B[0] 30.868 Hz.
- Do is the solmization syllable for the note C.
- The C[0] register is 4 octaves below middle C.
- Middle C is C[4] 261.63 Hz.
- The standard 4 stringed bass has it's low E tuned at 41.2 Hz which is E[1] in the contra octave. Some basses have a mechanism to drop the low E to C[1] 32.703 Hz.
- The octobass would therefore be tuned about an octave lower than a standard bass. Ozbass 11:42, 18 December 2005 (UTC)
[edit] Incorrect
Unless anyone can cite sources that say that the octobass is an octave lower than the bass, we need to correct this article.
"The instrument is not, as many people believe, the lower octave of the double-bass, but that of the cello; it can reach only the third below the E of the four-stringed double-bass." - Richard Strauss, Treatise on Instrumentation --—Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.204.30.199 (talk • contribs) 20:42, 14 November 2006
(I appologize, the author was Hector Berlioz, not Richard Strauss) --—Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.204.30.199 (talk • contribs) 20:43, 14 November 2006
[edit] Correction
I corrected this article. The misunderstanding that the octobass was an octave below the string bass is understandable, and appears to have been common enough (even shortly after the instrument was created) that Berlioz felt it neccesary to specifically correct it in his Treatise on Instrumentation. The article already mentioned that Berlioz was the primary advocate of the instrument, so I am inclined to believe him (lacking contradictory, reliable sources).
"It doesn't make sense for an instrument so much bigger and more impractical to play than the double bass to have a range only two whole steps lower."
The advantage of the octobass was not extreme depth, but increased power and tonal stability. The viola and string bass are, due to practical concerns, smaller than would be acoustically ideal. That is why the viola and string bass have a darker, more covered and less powerfull tone than their acoustically-ideal cousins, the violin and cello. The lowest tones of the string bass, especially the notes on the low C extension, have a tendancy to sound rough and coarse. The octobass, having a larger resonance chamber and longer strings, had a stronger tone quality on these deep notes. --—Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.204.30.199 (talk • contribs)
- Well, this explains things quite well. I would like to cross-check with the museum in Paris that holds the specimen shown in the photo, as they must get asked the question of "how low does it go" every day. Ever get out to Paris? Badagnani 06:12, 14 February 2007 (UTC)
