# Pizzicato & Vibrato, Double bass

The bass voice in jazz, orchestra, and beyond

The bass is the only string instrument that spends almost as much time in pizzicato as arco. Learn jazz-style walking pizz, classical pizzicato, and how to apply a slow, warm vibrato in lyrical passages.

Intermediate · 4 lessons · approximately 45 minutes of material (not a mastery deadline).

## Before this module
- [Shifting](/learn/bass/shifting), Moving up the long neck

## What this module covers
1. **Classical Pizzicato**, The orchestral pluck (11 min)
2. **Jazz Pizzicato**, Walking bass and the jazz pluck (12 min)
3. **Vibrato**, Slow, warm oscillation on the bass (11 min)
4. **Expressive Vibrato**, Vibrato as a musical choice on bass (11 min)

## What comes next
- [Notes on the Page](/learn/bass/notes-on-page), Bass clef fluency, ledger lines, and orchestral reading
- [The Inner Clock](/learn/bass/inner-clock), Rhythm, groove, and the bass player's pulse

## Where should I start with pizzicato & vibrato?
The curriculum places Shifting before this module. Review those topics if they are unfamiliar. The first lesson is “Classical Pizzicato”: The orchestral pluck. The order is a study guide, not proof that every learner needs the same pace.

## How long is the pizzicato & vibrato module?
The 4 listed lessons total approximately 45 minutes of material. That estimate describes lesson content, not the practice time needed to become comfortable with the bass voice in jazz, orchestra, and beyond. Revisit one task at a time and use feedback from a teacher where physical technique is involved.

## What can I try here without an account?
The pizzicato & vibrato description, lesson sequence and prerequisite links are public. There is no full worked lesson sample for this module yet. The linked public tools and references are free. A free account includes the complete five-lesson foundation module in each instrument and five lessons in music theory, with saved progress and no expiry. Later lessons require the relevant paid package.

## Continue in Arco
The complete five-lesson foundation module in each instrument and five music theory lessons are free with an account, including saved progress and no time limit. Later lessons require the relevant paid package. Public samples do not assess your physical technique or certify exam readiness.

[See packages and pricing](/pricing) · [Back to the double bass curriculum](/learn/bass)

Canonical source: https://arcosounds.com/learn/bass/pizzicato-vibrato