The cello is the lowest sounding member of the violin family.
The double bass is seen as a member of the viola da gamba family. The shape is slightly different from the shape of instruments in the violin family, and (I believe) the tuning system is different as well.
Of course, the viola da gamba itself is not very common today, possibly because it was extremely difficult to play without sounding like a dying cat.
The double bass is seen as a member of the viola da gamba family. The shape is slightly different from the shape of instruments in the violin family, and (I believe) the tuning system is different as well.
Of course, the viola da gamba itself is not very common today, possibly because it was extremely difficult to play without sounding like a dying cat. I believe there's a good viola da gamba part in Bach's St. John's Passion.