Meaning and Definition of Bass | Concept and What is.

What is the Bass?

The bass is a musical stringed instrument used in nearly all the musical styles especially in funk, rock, pop, metal, jazz, blues and country. It is considered, along with the battery, as the instrument that gives weight to the music. His name is because it is stringed instrument that emits the lowest sounds.

The bass was created in 1951 in by Leo Fender American. It originated as a hybrid between the guitar and the double bass. The main reason for Fender was to alleviate problems of space and transportation of bass, as well as improving the inaccurate sound that possessed. That is why the first model was called low Precision. In the beginning was a four-string instrument, but over time were developing other models with five, six and more strings. The simplicity of the design of the bass was very approved popularly and continues until the day of today, although over time, they have evolved in technology.

Parts of the bass are very similar to the guitar including plugs, which are metal rollers (larger than the guitar) where are rolled the thick ropes; the headstock, which is larger than that of the guitar; the mast, which is long and contains the frets, which are separations in the mast (usually are 25 frets); the tuning fork, which is the specific area in which the frets; strings that are tuned in sol, re, la, mi; the bridge, which is a very solid structure in which are fixed strings; electromagnetic tablets, found under the ropes and receiving vibrations, translate them into an electrical signal and send them to the amplifier; also controls which regulates the volume and tones. Finally the body, soft curves, which allows more comfort.

Although it is similar to the guitar, they have differences to be touched. The guitar is played with fingers, nails and the plastic tabs, while the bass is mainly played with the fingertips. In addition, also the tabs or barbed, and other techniques can be used as pop, to stretch, or pinch the strings with the tips of the fingers; the slap, hit it with your thumb; the tap, to crush the strings against the fingerboard between the frets, also using the fingertips.

To tune the bass plugs at the end of the tuning fork should be used and then it is recommended to use the harmonics of the fifth and seventh fret. When the first string is in tune, the harmonic seventh fret of that rope, is played then the fifth fret of the second string harmonic is played until it sounds equal to the harmonic seventh fret of the first (if there is variation in the sound is it off-key). The same is done for the rest of the strings.

Playing bass they must be used for finger index and the right hand ring. Used on and not to repeat is a finger is recommended. Also care should be taken not to touch near the fingerboard or bridge. The nails should be short because the pads of the fingers will be used.

Some of the many bassists notable history are Paul McCartney, Geezer Butler (Black Sabbath), Steve Harris (Iron Maiden), Cliff Burton (Metallica), John Entwistle (The Who), Jhon Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin), Billy Sheehan, Jaco Pastorius, Victor Wooten, Flea (Red Hot Chilli Peppers) and Chris Squier (Yes).
Translated for educational purposes.
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