The bass is an essential role in hip-hop and fills out the lower end of the frequency spectrum along with the kick. Today, we'll be taking a more in depth look at the bass and how it can elevate your beats
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 of the important properties about the bass and it's role in anchoring harmonies is that you can often change the sound of a chord played on the pads or the groove by simply changing out the bass note. For example, choose any major or minor triad and play that part in your right hand. Now, have the root of the chord played by your left hand for the bass. For example, if you are playing an F major triad with F, A, C as the notes, play F as the bass note. Now, play the same F major triad but use a different note for the bass. Try using the 3rd or 5th scale degree as the bass note now and listen to how the chord is still the same but sounds different.
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.
Whatever instrument you choose for your bass part, bass lines essentially fall into two categories. The first category is sustained bass lines which are designed to serve as the foundation for the other harmonic elements such as the pads and the groove. With this style of bass, the notes played are usually half-notes or even whole notes on the bass part. There is usually no rhythmic quality to this style of bass. A good example of this style of bass would be "Hard Knock Life" by Jay-Z. The other style of bass would be a more rhythmic style where the bass has an essential role in a song's rhythmic foundation. Think of a funk song and how the bass has a very rhythmic quality to it and you'll understand this style of bass. An example of this style of bass appearing in hip-hop would be "Money Ain't A Thang" by Jay-Z.
Start experimenting with both types of bass parts in your tracks. Try tracks where the bass plays are more harmonic role with long-sustained drones. Then, experiment with tracks where the bass is a part of the rhythm section. Start listening to the bass parts you hear on the radio and cd and try and categorize them into the different styles of bass.
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 of the important properties about the bass and it's role in anchoring harmonies is that you can often change the sound of a chord played on the pads or the groove by simply changing out the bass note. For example, choose any major or minor triad and play that part in your right hand. Now, have the root of the chord played by your left hand for the bass. For example, if you are playing an F major triad with F, A, C as the notes, play F as the bass note. Now, play the same F major triad but use a different note for the bass. Try using the 3rd or 5th scale degree as the bass note now and listen to how the chord is still the same but sounds different.
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.
Whatever instrument you choose for your bass part, bass lines essentially fall into two categories. The first category is sustained bass lines which are designed to serve as the foundation for the other harmonic elements such as the pads and the groove. With this style of bass, the notes played are usually half-notes or even whole notes on the bass part. There is usually no rhythmic quality to this style of bass. A good example of this style of bass would be "Hard Knock Life" by Jay-Z. The other style of bass would be a more rhythmic style where the bass has an essential role in a song's rhythmic foundation. Think of a funk song and how the bass has a very rhythmic quality to it and you'll understand this style of bass. An example of this style of bass appearing in hip-hop would be "Money Ain't A Thang" by Jay-Z.
Start experimenting with both types of bass parts in your tracks. Try tracks where the bass plays are more harmonic role with long-sustained drones. Then, experiment with tracks where the bass is a part of the rhythm section. Start listening to the bass parts you hear on the radio and cd and try and categorize them into the different styles of bass.
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