Academie Contrabass tuning in fifths strings are designed for modern performance practice at a=440.
One way to extend the contrabass range is to tune it in fifths rather than fourths. This tuning takes the musical range of the instrument from three octaves and a major third to three octaves and a major sixth. It also offers several other advantages:
- It allows the player to access the low C without a string extension.
- It adds more resonance to the instrument due to the overtone structure and relationship within the strings.
- Fingering patterns and playing style is more accessible for those already attuned to instruments of the violin family.
Although it is not a common way to tune a double bass, it has some advantages, and its popularity is growing.
