Double bass Tuning Chart
2 tunings for the double bass, all measured against standard EADG, with the target note and the exact frequency in hertz for every string.
| Tuning | Notation | Category | Notes | Frequencies (Hz) | Strings changed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (orchestral) | EADG | standard | E1 A1 D2 G2 | 41.20 · 55.00 · 73.42 · 98.00 | reference |
| Solo tuning | F#BEA | raised | F#1 B1 E2 A2 | 46.25 · 61.74 · 82.41 · 110.00 | 4 of 4 |
The last column is the number of strings that move relative to standard tuning, which is the fastest way to judge how disruptive a tuning is to reach and to undo.
What each double bass tuning is for
Standard (orchestral) (EADG)
The reference tuning for a double bass, and the one member of the string family tuned in fourths rather than fifths. The strings are so long that fifths would put the hand stretches out of reach, so the double bass uses fourths instead. The bass guitar copied that layout, which is why both instruments share EADG.
Common in orchestral, jazz, rockabilly. Tune to Standard (orchestral)
Solo tuning (F#BEA)
Every string up a whole step from orchestral tuning, using a dedicated lighter string set. Raising the whole instrument a tone brightens and projects the sound, which a soloist needs in front of an orchestra. Published solo repertoire is often written assuming this tuning, so the same written notes sound a whole step higher than in orchestral tuning.
Common in solo classical repertoire. Tune to Solo tuning
Use the data
These tunings are part of the open TuneStand dataset: /api/tunings.json, CC BY 4.0, no key required. See the dataset page for the schema and licence terms.
More tuning references
Frequencies on this page are computed at build time from twelve tone equal temperament with A4 = 440 Hz, using the twelfth root of two (about 1.059463) per semitone. Nothing is typed in by hand. See the full method and sources. Maintained by FusionStudios. Last reviewed: .