The Definitive Guide to Articulations & Markings on the Double Bass

Includes video demonstrations, notated examples and written explanations.

Meet the Author

Lauren Pierce is a professional double bassist and educator. Her hugely popular YouTube channel features virtuosic performances of double bass solo repertoire. 

Lauren is our classical double bass teacher & co-presenter of 'Ask Geoff & Lauren'. She has released numerous lessons and three step-by-step courses ‘Double Bass Bowing Technique’, 'Concepts of Solo Playing' & 'Double Bass Thumb Position'.

Introduction

Below is a list of some of the most common articulations and markings you will find in written music. For some of the articulations, I’ve included the equivalent vocal sounds - these are from Henry Portnoi’s book, “Creative Bass Technique,” which is a fantastic resource for orchestral playing and overall a great read by a legendary pedagogue.

The information below is intended to be used as a reference guide so I recommend bookmarking this page for later use. If you have a friend or student who you think would benefit from this information please share the page with them and help spread the word about what we are doing here at DiscoverDoubleBass.com.

If you would like to learn more about these articulations, as well as other bowing techniques, check out my step-by-step course, 'Double Bass Bowing Technique'. It's comprises 5+ hours of HD video across 70 lessons for beginners to advanced students.

Please note: The video demonstrations are not playing the specific notated examples.

Index/Quick Links

Articulations:

• Arco

• Pizzicato

• Staccato

• Spiccato

• Legato

• Détaché

• Portato

• Marcato

• Martelé

• Tenuto

• Sforzando

• Sforzando-piano

• Hooked Bowings

• Sul Ponticello

• Sul Tasto

• Col Legno

• Harmonics

• Tremolo

• Trill

• Con Sordino, con sord

Written Symbols:

• Slur

• Down bow/Up bow

• Lift/Retake

• Crescendo

• Decrescendo

• Caesura

• Fermata

• Repeat Sign

Articulations

Written Symbols

I hope you have found this page useful. If you have please share it with another bassist and help spread the word about what we are doing here at Discover Double bass. 

If you want to learn more with me check out my step-by-step courses 'Double Bowing Technique' and 'Double Bass Thumb Position'.
 

Thanks for checking this out! - Lauren Pierce