Good Times
ChicBernard Edwards's line shows how a repeating bass pattern can drive an entire track.
BINSTRUMENT · KNOWLEDGE GUIDE
Bass Guitar
A focused low register joins the attack of the drums to the roots and movement of harmony.
- Instrument family
- Strings
- Origin
- United States, mid-twentieth century
- Related genres
- 3
ORIGIN
Where does it come from?
The bass guitar put the double bass range into a portable, fretted and easily amplified body. From the 1950s it spread through R&B, rock, soul and pop bands.
ROLE IN ARRANGEMENT
What does it do in an arrangement?
It sets the centre of the groove and pushes sections forward through patterns and passing tones.
FingerstyleSlapSyncopation and ghost notes
COMMON USES
Where will you hear it?
It connects the kick drum to harmonic roots; patterns, syncopation, slides and ghost notes define the groove.
LISTENING EXAMPLES
Recordings and repertoire to recognize
COMMON GENRES
Common in these genres
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