Editing Double bass (section)

===Orchestral passages and solos===
A double bass section of a modern [[orchestra]] typically uses eight double bassists, usually in [[unison]]. Smaller orchestras may have four double basses, and in exceptional cases, bass sections may have as many as ten members. If some double bassists have low C extensions, and some have regular (low E) basses, those with the low C extensions may play some passages an octave below the regular double basses. Also, some composers write divided (divisi) parts for the basses, where upper and lower parts in the music are often assigned to "outside" (nearer the audience) and "inside" players. Composers writing divisi parts for bass often write [[perfect interval]]s, such as octaves and fifths, but in some cases use thirds and sixths.
{{Image frame|content=<score sound="1">
\layout {
  indent = 0
  ragged-right = ##t
}
\new Score {
  #(set-default-paper-size "b6")
  \new Staff {
    \relative c, {
      \set Staff.midiInstrument = #"cello"
      \set Score.currentBarNumber = #92
      \time 4/4
      \key d \major
      \clef "bass_8"
      \omit Staff.ClefModifier
      \tempo 2 = 60
      \omit Score.MetronomeMark
      \bar ""
      fis2\p^\markup { \halign #-0.5 \bold "Allegro assai" }( g4 a) | a4( g fis e) | d2( e4 fis) | fis4.( e8) e2 | \break
      fis2( g4 a) | a4( g fis e) | d2( e4 fis) | e4.( d8) d2
    }
  }
}
</score>|caption=Basses play the theme from the fourth movement<br />of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.}}

Where a composition calls for a solo bass part, the principal bass invariably plays that part. The section leader (or principal) also determines the bowings, often based on bowings set out by the concertmaster. In some cases, the principal bass may use a slightly different bowing than the concertmaster, to accommodate the requirements of playing bass. The principal bass also leads entrances for the bass section, typically by lifting the bow or plucking hand before the entrance or indicating the entrance with the head, to ensure the section starts together. Major professional orchestras typically have an assistant principal bass player, who plays solos and leads the bass section if the principal is absent.

While orchestral bass solos are somewhat rare, there are some notable examples. [[Johannes Brahms]], whose father was a double bass player, wrote many difficult and prominent parts for the double bass in his symphonies. [[Richard Strauss]] assigned the double bass daring parts, and his symphonic poems and operas stretch the instrument to its limits. "The Elephant" from [[Camille Saint-Saëns]]' ''[[The Carnival of the Animals]]'' is a satirical portrait of the double bass, and American virtuoso [[Gary Karr]] made his televised debut playing "The Swan" (originally written for the cello) with the [[New York Philharmonic]] conducted by [[Leonard Bernstein]]. The third movement of [[Gustav Mahler]]'s [[Symphony No. 1 (Mahler)|first symphony]] features a solo for the double bass that quotes the children's song ''Frere Jacques'', transposed into a minor key. [[Sergei Prokofiev]]'s ''[[Lieutenant Kijé (Prokofiev)|Lieutenant Kijé]] Suite'' features a difficult and very high double bass solo in the "Romance" movement. [[Benjamin Britten]]'s ''[[The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra]]'' contains a prominent passage for the double bass section.