There is no other instrument in the classical realm (or other musical genres for that matter) that compares to the way it dwarfs the bass as a stringed musical vessel.

The modern chromatic nyckelharpa has 16 strings, 3 melody strings, one drone strings, and 12 resonance strings. Structurally, itвЂ™s most similar to the hurdy gurdy. Though this video illustrates the playing of the Octobass with a single performer, the sizing up and comparison between it and the Double bass is astounding. This nyckelharpa, also known as the chordophone, is a traditional Swedish musical instrument dating back to the 16th century. It also features hand and foot-activated pedals and levers for added bass depth in tone. Due to its very large girth, the instrument was considered a two-Вplayer vessel, with one player operating the bow and the other manning the fingering. With three strings, it is considered the larger, older brother version of the upright bass.

Originating in Paris, the Octobass was first constructed in 1850 by JeanВ-Baptiste Vuillaume. It is exceptionally large and carries a very low-end sound, dropping to lower realms than any other stringed instrument. This unique stringed instrument makes the upright bass or cello look like a junior instrument. It consists of a single string of baling wire tensioned between two nails on a board over a glass bottle, which is used both as a bridge and as a means to magnify the instruments sound. Move over Contrabass, the Octobass has arrived. The diddley bow is a single-stringed American instrument which influenced the development of the blues sound.

Single stringed instrument