A humorous introduction to the double bass | Bret Simner | TEDxBasel

Why is a double bass called a double bass? Bret Simner shares his history with the instrument and beautifully plays a piece by Johann Baptist Vanhal on his classical double bass — both music and instrument were created around 1760.

The intro animation was produced as a collaboration between TEDxBasel and the Hochschule Luzern. This animation was created by Bianca Caderas, Helen Bosand and Zea Schaad.


Bret Simner is a native of Queens, New York, and a graduate of the Juilliard School. An early music specialist, he has studied at preeminent music schools across Europe and North America. He currently serves as principal bassist of Barockorchester Cantus Firmus. He has appeared as a guest lecturer and soloist on the Viennese bass, and in ensemble work in the US and across Europe. He lives in Basel with his wife and son.
Favorite TED talk: Adam Grant, The surprising habits of original thinkers

[meta]

How other people see: violin, violin, big violin, giant violin

[DaveScottAggie]

Those fret bands interested me too. I first started in orchestra when I was 11. I knew what a violin and a cello were. The teacher asked what I wanted to play, so I asked for the cello. He was trying to fill out parts and had enough cellos already. He said they had openings for viola and bass. I had never heard of a viola - he said it was kind of like the violin. I wasn't sure. I said what about the bass? He said "what kind of car do your parents have?" I said "a station wagon". He told me that the bass would be great for me :) I did not major in music, but I still play in a community orchestra, and sometimes at church.

[giovil]

a 5 string double bass with frets. WOW

[praz.official]

That bow's color difference threw me off completely. I was like, "why's he playing with it upside down...oh wait."

[nickeman]

What musicians' see:
Violin
Viola
Cello
Double Bass
Octobasse
What non-musicians see:
Violin
Violin
Big Violin
Bigger Violin
Oh what the f

[nou]

The similar applies to saxophone;
Soprano: golden clarinet
Alto: sax
Tenor: sax
Baritone: what?

[marcscordato]

Never seen a fretted double bass before.
There is something about the sound of a double bass, it seems so honest and sincere it pleads it longs it Yearns.

[violintegral]

No one knows what a viola is, especially ling ling. They're just a myth that's only in nightmares

[ronforyouruncle]

"it's not a cello." that is all you needed to say.

[ethanl.]

My friends are like:
Violin=Violin
Viola=Bigger Violin
Cello=Bigger Bigger Violin
Bass=Bigger Bigger Bigger Violin

[ireneahumada]

I was walking by careying my double bass and a bunch of teenagers were sat down chatting, and I heard "look, wtf, it's a giant violin" that was really funny😂😂

[hannahnoel]

I switched from violin to double Bass so I could be in my high school's jazz band and I can tell you almost no one knows what it is.

[thetalllucy]

i play double bass, and I shoud be practicing

[HBDeus]

Double bass: biggest and lowest

OCTOBASS: HOLd MY BoW

[bluetannery]

As an electric bass player, this instrument endlessly fascinates me. I’ve had exactly one opportunity to play a 3/4 bass and it was so much fun.

I’m in the process of figuring out how to play more without spending over a thousand dollars on it hahaha

[maxliu]

After all this time my mom still calls my double bass a “cello”

[chrisnoran]

"How many of you know what a cello is?"
Lil Yachty keeps his hand down

[citrineandmelody]

I started playing bass when I was 11, and I just fell in love with it ever since. I’m the only double bass in my orchestra, which just goes to show how practically nobody knows what it is.

[violacola]

Are you implying that more people know what a viola is then a double bass? I can speak from personal experience as a violist that this is not true. I did enjoy the talk and the piece played at the end was wonderful, but I just felt astounded that someone could know about a viola (an instrument really only used in orchestra) and not a bass (an instrument common in jazz and blues).

[kristenpressner]

great job Bret, making the double bass funny and accessible, well done