Class #8 : 10/23
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Agenda :
Explore Basslines Identify Bassline types Baseline Class work Review HW/Judging Music Sampling |
Homework :
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Activity
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Listen to the musical example.
Do you think this piece , if released on the radio today , would be commercially ($$$) successful ? Explain your answer. Write as much as you possible can using topics / terms discussed in class. The more valid info you can give, the better (you should be able to give 5 solid reason easily) To be collected at 1:15 |
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Bass
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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 (of any instrument) 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 |
Example
?? What Characteristics of "Bass" Effect Music / Songs ??
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<<<<<<<<, These are questions we want to get used to answering for all characteristics of songs (Melody, Rhythm , Harmony etc. )
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Instrumentation : What instruments can provide the BASS?
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Possible Instruments
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How do we decide what instrument with provide bass? Which Option sounds Best with Which Style/Genre/Instrumentation ? What characteristics of Timbre's have an impact on our choice ? |
Example
Style : What type of Bassline sounds best ?
Bass lines Can have a profound effect on the groove/style/genre of the the music. This stems from its rhythmic qualities.
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Type 1: 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 Type 3: 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 |
Type 2 : 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 Type 4 : Improvised
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Example
Classifying Basslines
In order to figure out what type of bassline is happening in a song, we must hear :
(1) the Harmony - AKA what different notes are being played
(2) the Rhythm - AKA the consistent pattern in time being played
Click hear for a guide to Classifying Basslines
Identifying Basslines : Classwork
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Give the Following song list:
-Go through the checklist / questionnaire for figuring out what type of bassline. Be sure to go through each step carefully. After Completing these for all the songs, answer the following Question: Did you notice any trends or correlation between genre/instrumentation and type of bass line? -What were they? -Can you speculate why this would happen? (i.e. What if you superimposed a different type of baseline over that song, would it be as good? As effective?) |
Song list:
1. Take a Walk on the Wild Side - Lou Reed 2. Billi Jean - Micheal Jackson 3. I Wish I Knew - Blue Mitchell 4. Let's Get it On - Marvin Gaye 5. Lay Lady Lay - Bob Dylan 6. Are you My Woman - The Chi-Lites 7. Bill Withers - Lovely Day 8. Haven't Met you Yet - Michael Buble **** If you are confused , or can't pick a category, or it sounds like it could fit in multiple categories, describe what you are hearing and why you think it fits in multiple**** |
Identifying Basslines Homework :
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For each of the songs on the song list, go through the check list and Identify the type of bassline.
After completing all the songs, make some observations SONG LIST WILL APPEAR AFTER CLASS ON TUESDAY |
Song List :
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Homework Review
Judging Music : Considering the Artist's Intention, and Evaluating if he/she was successful.
How do we know what the Intention of the artist was when he / she was creating this art ?
So.......
If we judge a song that contains a sample, based on the criteria of originality, that song by definition would be very unoriginal, since it literally contains a part of another song .
BUT
According to Mark Ronson, It's not about being original (AKA its not meant to be judged for it's originality , according to the intentions of the artist)
BUT
According to Mark Ronson, It's not about being original (AKA its not meant to be judged for it's originality , according to the intentions of the artist)