Unique Bassettino

The term “Bassettino” comes from a little or small Bassetto. “Bassetto” was first noted in the early 17th Century and was in regular use as a bass instrument during the Baroque era in Italy. During this time a standard bass violin was created which was much larger than today’s cello in order to fill in the tonal registers below the cello range. Bassetto was in the violin family of instruments. In comparison, Double Bass or Contrabass was mentioned in 16th Century, however it originated from a Violone in the Viol or the Gamba family from Spain, with sloping shoulders and the 4th tuning which the modern Double Bass has inherited. Although the modern Double Bass also has adapted some violin design concepts to increase the power and projection which were lacking in the Viol family of instruments.

Bassettino is the culmination of a long collaboration with Robert J. Spear of Singing Woods Violin, with his legacy for the new stringed instrument creation based on the knowledge compiled by Carleen Hutchins’ life-long contribution to the New Violin Family of Instruments.

What is Bassettino for?

In the history of the violin family of instruments, there have been efforts in establishing new instruments attempting to bridge the tonal range and color between the cello and the double bass. Bassettino with its 4-octave range will perfectly fulfill this need. Bassettino is suited for chamber music to augment the bass register, also for jazz and contemporary music and as a solo instrument.

What is Bassettino able to do?

The vibrating string length of Bassettino is 81.3 cm or 32 inches, and is tuned in 5th, G, D, A and E, from low to high strings, 2 octaves below violin and 4th below cello. This makes it ideal for a chamber music context, Baroque, Classical, Jazz, or new music in an intimate scale. It provides a clear bass register without muddiness. The low G is in the bass resister but with a clear projection compared with double bass’s low E or low C. The standard double bass can only provide a whole tone and a half lower. Alternatively, it could be tuned in 4th as in the double basses. However, the 5th tuning is the whole mark of the violin family of instruments in tune with the rest of the string ensemble.

Normally a double bass is tuned in 4th as in the Gamba family. The 5th tuning will open up a new horizon. Many excellent articles and discussions by experienced musicians have been presented on double basses tuned in 5th for its advantages and evolutional relevance as the violin family of instruments. Many double bassists who tuned in 5th indicate hearing a new clarity to the sound of the bass, and felt the instrument resonated more warmly and naturally, also noticed the sense of improved intonation, and the instrument’s faster responses. This will be our future discussion.

Now is the time for a New Renaissance for the bass instruments.

Gabriella

Katharina

Lore

Sandra