A critical element in hip-hop, the bass is the king of the low-end that really helps to define a hip-hop song. We'll take a look at the bass and explore how you can incorporate it into your beats so that they sound more hard-hitting.
The main role of the bass is to anchor the harmonic structure of a song. In simpler terms, the bass is the foundation of a song's harmonic elements. The pads, the leads, and the groove sit on top of the bass.
One interesting characteristics about the bass is that it can often change the sound of chord being played on its own by simply changing the bass note. As an experiment, pick out a music chord and have the bass play as a sustained note. For simplicity's sake, have the bass note be the root of the chord. So if you are playing an E major chord, the bass note should be an E. Now, play the same chord but change the bass note to a different note. Try the 3rd or 5th scale degree of the chord that you are playing. So, using our example, if you are playing an E major chord, have the bass note be a G# or B.
In hip-hop, a low sine wave or even a live bass has traditionally been used as bass sounds. However, one interesting development in hip-hop, especially Southern hip-hop, is that the bass has been fused with the kick drum sound. Now, long and sustained kick drums have bass frequencies that play the role of the bass.
No matter instrument used to play the role of the bass, bass parts in typically fall into two categories, more sustained or rhythmic oriented. As we stated earlier in the article, the bass anchors the songs harmony, however, the bass is another versatile part, much like the groove, in the sense that it can play a rhythmic part in songs as well. For example, in jazz, the bass is considered part of the rhythm section and the "walking bass" lines characteristic of the genre show how the bass can really occupy a rhythmic role. In reggae, the bass is the star of the show and often times, it is the bass part that provides an interesting rhythm against to the steady "one-drop" rhythm of the drums and piano parts of reggae.
Try out different styles of bass lines and listen to how producers incorporate bass into their tracks. The bass along with the drums, is the foundation of a great hip-hop beat so be sure to develop it well.
The main role of the bass is to anchor the harmonic structure of a song. In simpler terms, the bass is the foundation of a song's harmonic elements. The pads, the leads, and the groove sit on top of the bass.
One interesting characteristics about the bass is that it can often change the sound of chord being played on its own by simply changing the bass note. As an experiment, pick out a music chord and have the bass play as a sustained note. For simplicity's sake, have the bass note be the root of the chord. So if you are playing an E major chord, the bass note should be an E. Now, play the same chord but change the bass note to a different note. Try the 3rd or 5th scale degree of the chord that you are playing. So, using our example, if you are playing an E major chord, have the bass note be a G# or B.
In hip-hop, a low sine wave or even a live bass has traditionally been used as bass sounds. However, one interesting development in hip-hop, especially Southern hip-hop, is that the bass has been fused with the kick drum sound. Now, long and sustained kick drums have bass frequencies that play the role of the bass.
No matter instrument used to play the role of the bass, bass parts in typically fall into two categories, more sustained or rhythmic oriented. As we stated earlier in the article, the bass anchors the songs harmony, however, the bass is another versatile part, much like the groove, in the sense that it can play a rhythmic part in songs as well. For example, in jazz, the bass is considered part of the rhythm section and the "walking bass" lines characteristic of the genre show how the bass can really occupy a rhythmic role. In reggae, the bass is the star of the show and often times, it is the bass part that provides an interesting rhythm against to the steady "one-drop" rhythm of the drums and piano parts of reggae.
Try out different styles of bass lines and listen to how producers incorporate bass into their tracks. The bass along with the drums, is the foundation of a great hip-hop beat so be sure to develop it well.
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