Bass Appreciation

Bass AppreciationIts role and sound throughout the years

Tony T. TranSouth Bay Learning Night Nov. 2015

Why is Bass Under-Appreciated?Often times, hard to hear It isnt what people hum/sing toBass often just follows guitarsLeads to preconception that bass is not important, boring, and easy.

BassWhat Role Does the Bass play?MelodyHarmonyRhythm

RhythmCommonly associated with drumsMaintaining a pulse

So how is the bass a rhythmic instrument?Percussive sound to maintain a beat

HarmonyCombination of notes (tones) played togetherChord

How does the bass play harmony?We use the lowest frequency note as a reference point.

Putting it all togetherProvides the beat (foundation)Provides the context for the melodyAll together, it helps provide the feeling for the song

So Lets Listen to Some Good Examples of Bass!

Walking Bass LinesSteady beat simulates walkingOrigin: Baroque (?)Commonly found in:Swing Jazz, Blues, BoogieNotes:Bass walks up (down) from one chord to the next

Syncopated BeatsSyncopate - displace the beats or accents in music (or a rhythm) so that strong beats become weak and vice versa.Predominant in Latin music and African rhythmsCommonly found in:Ragtime, Jazz, Funk, Gospel, Reggae, Samba Notes:Rhythmically more complex accents the upbeatStill has strong structure Forms the groove by accents and space

Slap (& Pop) Bass

Heavy emphasis on interesting rhythmExtremely percussive soundCommon in:Funk and SoulNotes:Slapping is percussive like a bass drumPopping cuts through like a snare

MotownJames Jamerson!Played on more #1 hits than The Beatles, Rolling Stones, and Beach Boys combinedMelodic style of bass playing but still very funky

One of the most influential electric bass players ever, but completely underappreciated.

The HookA riff that is used in popular music to catch the ear of the listenerLate 70s - early 80s bass lines become more popular and prominent through these hooksNotes:Very recognizable bass lines

RockIts here because many of us are familiar with and were raised on rock musicNotes 1:Bass provides a lot of the progression for the song recall guitar/drum exampleSlap bass technique usedNotes 2:Melodic bass lineInfluences of walking linesListen to how the bass is a reference point for the guitar

What about more recent popular music?

Questions?or have I pitched the bassics well enough?

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