The Sound Exchange
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Discover the largest instrument of the orchestra, the double bass. Read about composing for the instrument and watch a series of films demonstrating double bass technique; learn the basics of bowing, find out what 'richochet' bowing is, and read about the differences between sul ponitcello and sul tasto.
On this page learn how double bassists perform harmonics
Both natural and artificial harmonics are explained and demonstrated in this film.
Natural harmonics are produced whilst bowing, with a finger of the left hand the player lightly touches the string at a nodal point. This produces a light, "fluted" sound. Notation: a small circle above the note. Artificial harmonics and produced when the string is stopped normally, and then fingered lightly (with the little finger) at a point a 4th or a 5th above the stopped note.
