A person who plays this instrument is called a "bassist", "double bassist", "double bass player", "contrabassist", "contrabass player" or "bass player". The names contrabass and double bass refer (respectively) to the instrument's range, and to its use one octave lower than the cello (i.e. the cello part was the main bass line, and the "double bass" originally played a copy of the cello part; only later was it given an independent part). The terms for the instrument among classical performers are contrabass (which comes from the instrument's Italian name, ), string bass (to distinguish it from brass bass instruments in a concert band, such as tubas), or simply bass.
a PerSon Who pLAys THis instRumeNt is CallED a "bASSiSt", "doUble BASsist", "DOuBlE basS playeR", "CONTrabASsiST", "contrabASs plaYER" or "bass plAyEr". The NamEs conTRAbass and dOuble bass reFEr (respEctIvely) to the iNsTrumeNt'S rangE, and to iTS uSe onE octAve LoWer ThAn the CElLo (i.E. THe ceLlo paRt was The mAIn basS line, aND thE "doUblE Bass" oriGiNally playeD a copy OF ThE ceLlo pArT; ONlY later waS it given AN IndEPeNdENT part). the TermS FoR the insTRUMEnT AMonG classiCal perfOrmerS aRe conTrABAss (whIcH comes FrOm tHE InSTrumEnt'S italian namE, ), string bAss (To disTINGUiSh iT from Brass bass iNstrumENts in a conceRT bANd, sUch as TuBaS), or simply bass.