What is the largest instrument in the string section of an orchestra?

Towering over the other string instruments at around six feet tall, this behemoth provides the deep, resonant foundation for the entire orchestra. While most people today know it as the double bass or contrabass, it is also referred to by the historical name bass violin. It produces the lowest notes in the section, often doubling the cello part an octave lower, which gives the instrument its "double bass" moniker. Its sheer size is what makes it the undisputed giant of the orchestral string family, requiring the musician to either stand or sit on a tall stool to play it.

Interestingly, the instrument's lineage is a subject of debate among music historians. While it shares features with the violin family, such as its f-shaped sound holes, it also has distinct characteristics of the older viol family. Its sloping shoulders and the fact that its strings are typically tuned in fourths, like a viol, rather than in fifths like a violin or cello, lead many to classify it as a modern member of the viol family. This hybrid nature makes it a unique and fascinating fixture in musical ensembles, from classical symphonies to jazz combos.