Pizzicato
Pizzicato notes sound short and detached (staccato).  The player can get different sounds by plucking in different parts of the string.  High notes sound very short and dry.  Pizzicato notes on the double bass sound much more resonant (big and boomy).  Double basses often play pizzicato to give extra rhythmic and harmonic support.  For example: in a waltz the cellos and violas might be accompanying  the tune with an “um-cha-cha, um-cha-cha” while the double basses just pluck on the “um” (the first beat of the bar).  Double basses usually play pizzicato when playing with jazz groups.