Traditionally, wind bands and wind ensembles do not incorporate strings. However, an exception is made for the double bass, or string bass as it is often referred to on a wind band's musical score. When wind groups broke away from string orchestras, a bassist was often retained to handle the more delicate and intricate passages the relatively clumsy tuba could not.

It's kinda geeky, though, for a string bass to play with bands, because it's often very hard to hear the intricate parts they are supposed to be bringing out!