BASS: ACOUSTIC AND ELECTRIC

For the purposes of this book, we’ll assume that the acoustic bass, also known as the stand-up bass, the bass viol, the upright bass, and the doghouse, will be played pizzicato, meaning plucked, not arco, meaning played with a bow. It’s important to remember when reading and notating bass parts that both the electric bass and the acoustic bass sound one octave lower than written. If the notes for these instruments were written at actual pitch, the number of ledger lines would be very cumbersome for the player to read. This is the written range for the bass:


The acoustic bass is most commonly used in jazz settings and show music or when trying to imply an older, pre-electric style, such as turn-of-the-century dance music, including waltzes and fox trots. From a digital arranging point of view, electric bass can mean many different sounds depending on the style of music.

For example:

Electric Bass (GM Patch 34). Sounds like a note plucked with a finger. It can be short or long in duration.

Slap Bass (GM Patch 37). A percussive sound used for emphasis in rock, R&B and funk music.

Synth Bass or Moog Bass (GM Patch 40). Used in house, rap, techno, and ’80s pop music.


BASS AND DRUM PARTS
In almost all cases, the bass drum part is closely related to the bass part. The following examples show how the bass and drums fit across a variety of styles.

Samba

Samba Bass and Drums




Swing

Swing Bass and Drums



Pop

Pop Bass and Drums




Funk

Funk Bass and Drums

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