What Is the Bass Guitar Used For?
Bands of all types as well as orchestras use the bass guitar. It plays an important role in the harmony and rhythm of a song and forms a foundation upon which other instruments can build.
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Identification
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The standard bass guitar has 4 strings. These are pitched an octave lower than the corresponding strings on a guitar which gives them a deeper sound. Basses also commonly exist in five-string and even six-string versions.
Harmony
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Bassists tend to anchor the harmony of the song by highlighting the roots of a chord progression. This helps to establish the key of the song.
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Rhythm
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The bass guitar, along with the drums and rhythm guitar, make up the rhythm section of a band. The bass contributes significantly to the beat and groove of the song, making timing particularly important to proper playing.
Jazz
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In jazz, the bass guitar is used for accompanying like in rock, but also tends to play a more prominent role in soloing.
History
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The first widely produced electric bass was Leo Fender's Precision Bass, which was issued in the early 1950s. The invention of the electric bass was a great relief to traveling musicians, who had been burdened with carting around the monstrous double bass.
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- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Ibrahim Iujaz
