Contrebasse

As Printed on a Score

French for double bass; the plural Contrebasses labels the section, shortened to C.B. on later systems. In older scores one staff often serves cellos and basses together, with the basses named only where they part company.

Abbreviations: C.B.

Also spelled: Contrebasses

How Composers Use It

Sounds an octave below written pitch, in bass clef, with tenor or treble clef for high passages that still sound an octave lower. If you write below the open E, say so — French parts ask for contrebasses à cinq cordes when the low C is needed. Doubling the cellos an octave below gives the orchestra its foundation, and pizzicato basses carry a long way on their own.

Example

Ravel, Boléro, full score: the bass staff is labelled “CONTREBASSES” on the full system and “C.B.” where the staff names are abbreviated.

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