r plays standing owing to the great size of the
instrument.

The double bass sometimes has three strings tuned in England and Italy
in fourths; [Illustration: notes][1] in France and Germany to fifths.
[Illustration: notes] Owing to the scoring of modern composers,
however, it was found necessary to adopt an accordance of four strings
in order to obtain the additional lower notes required, although this
entails the sacrifice of beauty of tone, the three-stringed instrument
being more sonorous. Some orchestras make a compromise dividing the
double basses into two equal sections of three and four-stringed
basses. The four strings are tuned in fourths:--[Illustration: notes].
Mr A. C. White, finding that an additional lower compass was required,
first tuned his double bass with three strings to [Illustration:
notes] afterwards adding a fourth string, the lower D. By this
accordance the third and fourth strings gain additional power and
clearness from the fact that the first and second, being their octaves
higher, vibrate in sympathy, obviating the necessity of making the
'cello play in octaves with the double basses to increase the tone
when the lowest register is used. In order to obtain equal sonority on
his double bass with four strings, Mr White[2] found it necessary to
have a wider bridge measuring about 5 in., so that the distance
between the strings should remain the same as on a double bass with
three strings, thus allowing plenty of room for vibration. The neck
was also widened in proportion. A five-stringed double bass was
sometimes used in Germany tuned either to [Illustration: notes] or to
[Illustration: notes] but such instruments have been almost superseded
by those with four strings. A somewhat larger double bass with five
strings by Karl Otho of Leipzig was introduced between 1880 and 1890
with the following accordance:--

[Illustration: notes]

The practical compass of the double bass extends from [Illustration:
8va bassa.] (real sounds) with all chromatic intervals. In order to
avoid using numerous ledger lines the music is written an octave
higher. The quality of tone is very powerful but somewhat rough, and
varies greatly in its gradations. The notes of the lowest register,
when played _piano_, sound weird and sometimes grotesque, and are
sometimes used instead of the kettledrum; when played _forte_ the tone
is grand and full.