Double Bass range
I'm aware of a few double bass players here, so maybe they'll be able to help me with this one: How do most people tune their double basses? I know most of them are tuned to fourths as E-A-D-G, but I've also heard of people tuning it into fifths as C-G-D-A (one octave lower than the cello). What do you tune your instruments to? I am composing a string ensemble version of Explosive, and if possible, I want the double bass to be able to play everything one octave lower than the cello.

well, traditional bass will be tuned in 4ths, E will be the lowest notes, jsut make it possible for bassist to reach anythin higher then that E

All Double Basses I have come across are tuned in 4ths, but some people have a \"C extension\" - an extended E string, enabling them to play low C. This is essential to play the opening of \"Schubert's Unfinished Symphony\" - otherwise the Basses have to play the last two notes up the octave. The C extension is quite rare, though.

Yeah, it can be annoying for double bass if you want them to do octaves with the cello. It can also be difficult for violin and viola to do octaves because the viola can't play the G one octave lower than violin or most commonly, a B. It's low, but not low enough lol.

yeah, fourths. although sometimes people tune the E string down to a D. And sometimes people tune it in fifths, but that requires a lot more shifting and i think is mostly just used for solo work.