Basses

As Printed on a Score

In an orchestral score, labels the double-bass section (Basses, Bs. later); in a choral score the same word labels the bass voices, so the bracket it sits in decides. In Classical scores Bassi or Basses may mean cellos and double basses reading one line, the basses sounding an octave lower.

Abbreviations: Bs.

How Composers Use It

When the label means the double basses, everything about that instrument applies: written an octave above sounding pitch in bass clef, the orchestra’s floor. When it means a choir’s basses, the range runs from about the F an octave and a fifth below middle C to the D or E above it. In a work with both, write Double Basses or Chorus Basses at least once to remove any doubt.

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