Bass
Simple Definition : The lowest Part of the harmony
Bass is really part of the harmony, as it provides the lowest notes we are hearing in a song (hence the literal name; bass).
Example:
-The Bass Guitar / Upright Bass are literally named after their range
- The Bass Section of a choir is named after its range
This is because these instruments are almost always providing the bass
The lowest sound during a performance
This can be confusing, as it is generally played by and instrument called the Bass (see below) but there is always bass in songs even if there isn't a Bass instrument or Bass section.
Why does it exist?
-Has a Grounding effect on the Harmony
-When we add that low note, it fills out the chord, give it more body
Lower = More POWERFUL sounding
-Physically, we hear a wider range of frequencies
What instruments can provide the BASS?
Upright Bass
-Can be Bowed or Plucked
-Electric Bass Guitar
- Can be Plucked or Strummed, like a regular guitar
Upright Bass
Electric Bass
Synthesizer
- Electronically generated sounds, usually played on a keyboard
-Some instruments like piano and guitar can play their own bass notes
because the have a wide range already on their instrument
Bass is really part of the harmony, as it provides the lowest notes we are hearing in a song (hence the literal name; bass).
Example:
-The Bass Guitar / Upright Bass are literally named after their range
- The Bass Section of a choir is named after its range
This is because these instruments are almost always providing the bass
The lowest sound during a performance
This can be confusing, as it is generally played by and instrument called the Bass (see below) but there is always bass in songs even if there isn't a Bass instrument or Bass section.
Why does it exist?
-Has a Grounding effect on the Harmony
-When we add that low note, it fills out the chord, give it more body
Lower = More POWERFUL sounding
-Physically, we hear a wider range of frequencies
What instruments can provide the BASS?
Upright Bass
-Can be Bowed or Plucked
-Electric Bass Guitar
- Can be Plucked or Strummed, like a regular guitar
Upright Bass
Electric Bass
Synthesizer
- Electronically generated sounds, usually played on a keyboard
-Some instruments like piano and guitar can play their own bass notes
because the have a wide range already on their instrument
Types of Bass-lines
Bass lines Can have a profound effect on the groove/style/genre of the the music. This stems from its rhythmic qualities.
Stagnant Bass
-Very little linear movement
-Only changes notes with the harmony
-not very many notes
-Usually only 1 note per chord played
-Usually not very rhythmic, except for repetition of same note
-Often Synthesized, not live instrumentation
Stagnant Examples:
Blink 182 Sheet Music
Blink 182 Video
Beyonce Sheet Music
Beyonce Video
Walking Bass
-Opposite of Stagnant
-Constantly moving Notes
-Always moves at a steady Rhythm/Pace, Usually every beat or every other beat (rhythmically repetitive)
-Provides motion for the music (hence 'walking')
Walking Bass Examples:
Ray Brown
Stevie Sheet Music
Stevie Sheet Music
Stevie Video
Riffed Bass
-A Riff is a repetitive rhythmic and melodic pattern
-Repetitive bass line looped many times, sometimes for the duration of the song
-provides lowest part of harmony, as well as the rhythmic basis for the song
-Important part of the groove/beat
Riffed Bass Examples:
Jet Sheet Music
Jet Video
Cee Lo Sheet Music
Cee Lo Video
Pink Floyd Sheet Music
Pink Floyd Video
Bass lines Can have a profound effect on the groove/style/genre of the the music. This stems from its rhythmic qualities.
Stagnant Bass
-Very little linear movement
-Only changes notes with the harmony
-not very many notes
-Usually only 1 note per chord played
-Usually not very rhythmic, except for repetition of same note
-Often Synthesized, not live instrumentation
Stagnant Examples:
Blink 182 Sheet Music
Blink 182 Video
Beyonce Sheet Music
Beyonce Video
Walking Bass
-Opposite of Stagnant
-Constantly moving Notes
-Always moves at a steady Rhythm/Pace, Usually every beat or every other beat (rhythmically repetitive)
-Provides motion for the music (hence 'walking')
Walking Bass Examples:
Ray Brown
Stevie Sheet Music
Stevie Sheet Music
Stevie Video
Riffed Bass
-A Riff is a repetitive rhythmic and melodic pattern
-Repetitive bass line looped many times, sometimes for the duration of the song
-provides lowest part of harmony, as well as the rhythmic basis for the song
-Important part of the groove/beat
Riffed Bass Examples:
Jet Sheet Music
Jet Video
Cee Lo Sheet Music
Cee Lo Video
Pink Floyd Sheet Music
Pink Floyd Video
Class Activity
Find 3 Songs that you think have different kinds of bass-lines.
Describe WHY and HOW the bass lines sound like they differ from each other.
Take a Guess at what kind of BassLine you think it is
So you will give me: Song and Artist, Explanation of WHY and HOW the bass lines are different from each other, Type of Bass Line
x 3
When Guessing type: Remember the biggest differing factor is
RHYTHM
-is it rhythmically repetitive?
-steady on the beat?
-long notes?
-repeated rhythm?
Then .....
HARMONY
-Is it harmonically repetitive?
-Is it Changing Notes a lot?
-is it on the same note for multiple beats?
