Because back in the 1700's the bass viol carried the low parts. It was (is)
about the size of a cello and was tuned in a similar range.

The Double Bass doubled the cello part one octave down, hence, double bass.
The Italian name is Contrabasso, the French, Contrabasse.

To those of us who see in our minds a large, beautiful, sonorous wooden
musical instrument when we hear the word 'bass', that little pork chop
shaped thing is called a 'slab'!   :)

On Fri, Apr 18, 2008 at 9:10 AM, Mike Miller <mwmiller@cwnet.com> wrote:

> I was emailing with someone on the list who made string instruments and I
> forgot to ask the primary question:
>
> How come a stand up bass is called a double bass?
>
> Mike
>

--
Jake
1984 Vanagon GL
1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"
Crescent Beach, BC
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
http://subyjake.googlepages.com/mydixiedarlin%27