A bass guitar is a musical instrument used for performance. The sound of the bass is not the best of all guitars, but it is indispensable in the performance. So what are the characteristics and roles of this instrument? Let’s find out with us in the article below.
1. Characteristics of Bass Guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument that produces sound by using the fingers to pluck the strings. It is similar in appearance and construction to an electric guitar with a solid body with pickups attached, but with a longer neck and scale length, and typically four to six strings.
Originally, the bass guitar was designed with 4 strings, then over time it was advanced to 5 strings, 6 strings and now it’s 7 strings, 8 strings, 12 strings, 9 strings, 15 strings, 18 strings, etc. Metal is the material used to make bass strings, and other parts are made of wood. The neck of the bass guitar is divided into different compartments, usually from 22-24 compartments. In addition, the bass guitar also has tuning keys to adjust the strings, and there are both fretted and fretless basses.
The pitch of the bass is 3 octaves. Compared to the electric guitar, the bass’s range is lower, but this is an important instrument in the band.
2. Types of Bass Guitars
Based on the structure, bass guitars can be divided into many types. For example, acoustic and electric bass guitars, fretted and fretless bass guitars, etc.
The acoustic bass guitar has the same principle of operation as a traditional guitar, thanks to the resonator box. Meanwhile, the electric bass works like an electric guitar and has a wider selection of sounds. That’s why most bassists choose this type.
Bass guitars can also be divided into fretted and fretless. Fretless bass guitars are often harder to play but have a wider range and richer sound. On the contrary, the fretted instrument is easy to play, but the sound quality and resonance are not as good as the fretless.
3. The Role of the Bass Guitar in the Band
The bass guitar plays an indispensable role in a band. A bassist has the function to add depth and link the harmony and rhythm together, contribute to the groove, feel, and style of the music, and complete the overall sound. However, the biggest role of the bass is to keep the rhythm of the band.
When performing, two indispensable instruments for keeping time and rhythm are drum and bass. These two instruments combine to form the rhythmic foundation of the band. They help other instruments work in sync with each other in the right rhythm.
For rock players, only the bass makes the spirit of heavy metal, hard rock, and metal rock really lively and burning. Without a bass guitar, the performance will give you a headache because of the roaring sound. Even with talented bassists, there will be no need for other guitars, the band can still perform excellent songs.
Bass guitars do not have a flexible sound like other guitars. However, this guitar plays an important role in the band. If you’re playing as a bassist in a band, buy a good quality bass because it is the key to the success of the show.
Install Guitar Tunio to tune your bass properly every time you play, try a variety of alternate tunings, practice your timing, rhythm and feel with the built-in metronome, plus learn guitar chords with a chord library. It is available on App Store and Google Play Store, check it out!
