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How many strings are on a bass guitar? A traditional bass guitar has four strings, which are at the same note as the lower four strings of a traditional guitar. The only difference is that the bass guitar is one octave below when it comes to pitch.

The bass guitar is one of the most crucial elements of a band. Despite not always being under the spotlight, numerous songs would simply sound awkward and incomplete without a solid and interesting bassline.

Just imagine how different The Beatles’ songs would be without Paul McCartney playing his 1963 Höfner 500/1. If you wish to be the bassist of your band, or you want to be the next Paul McCartney, it’s important that you know all the things you need to know about the bass guitar.

To start off, let’s talk about the number of strings on this instrument, why it came to be, the tuning, and a whole lot more.

How Many Strings Are on a Bass Guitar?

As we mentioned above, a traditional bass guitar has four strings. The standard tuning for the bass guitar is E-A-D-G, which is the same as the four lowest strings on a guitar. It’s one octave lower than the standard guitar tuning, and all the strings are tuned in perfect fourths, which means there’s an interval of four notes between each string.

Why Does a Bass Guitar Only Have Four Strings?

The main reason for the bass guitar only having four strings is that its overall design was heavily influenced by its older counterpart, the upright bass. The upright bass is an even bigger instrument that you play by standing alongside it. The tuning is also an octave lower than the traditional bass guitar.

As rock-and-roll music grew, the demand for a bass guitar that you can bring anywhere and carry on your shoulder grew as well. This gave birth to the bass guitar that we know today. However, there are also other reasons why the bass guitar only has four strings.

One of the most prominent reasons for this is the relationship between string instruments. Most string instruments rose for symphony orchestras. Each instrument was then given a certain range of frequency for their tuning, and they were designed to overlap a bit but not too much.

For instance, the double bass initially only had three strings. However, as they were frequently used in orchestras that include violins, cellos, and other instruments, a fourth string was added. In this group of instruments, the bass has the lowest octave pitch.

Because of this arrangement, playing the bass with other instruments, whether it be violins, cellos, or electric guitars, complete the overall flavor of the music.

Other Types of Bass Guitars

Not all bass guitars have four strings, only the traditional ones. There are other models and brands that have additional strings to increase the frequency range of the instrument. Although you won’t often see them, there are three other “common” guitars in the world of basses. We’ll show them to you below.

Five-String

The five-string bass guitar either has a higher or lower frequency range than the traditional four-string bass guitar. That depends on where or what the additional string is. Adding an extra low string allows the bass guitar to reach lower pitch registers. On the other hand, adding an extra high string will allow it to reach a higher pitch register.

That’s because when you add strings to a bass guitar, you have to follow the perfect fourths interval instead of the standard guitar tuning. This means that a five-string bass guitar with a low string should be tuned B-E-A-D-G.

On the other hand, a five-string bass guitar with a high string should be tuned E-A-D-G-C. If you noticed, the high string is C, which is unlike the traditional guitar tuned at E-A-D-G-B-E.

Six-String

If you don’t want to compromise a low string for a high string or vice versa, don’t worry. There’s another type of bass guitar that has six strings. This combines the two types of five-string bass guitars by adding a lower and a higher additional string.

This puts the tuning of the six-string bass guitar at B-E-A-D-G-C.

Twelve-String

Going over to the extremes, we have an even rarer type of bass guitar that has 12 strings, otherwise known as the Colombian Tiple. The twelve strings are divided into four courses with three strings each. This means it’s almost like the traditional bass guitar, but instead of four strings, you have 12 in groups of four.

However, it’s significantly harder to play because instead of fretting one string to play one note, you have to push down three strings simultaneously. Additionally, the fingerboard is wider than the traditional bass guitar because of the number of strings.

The only advantage a 12-string bass guitar has is that it produces an enormous sound since it has strings that are tuned at higher octaves.

Should a Bass Guitar Stick to Four Strings?

There’s no rule that says a bass guitar should only have four strings. As you can see, there are other versions with five, six, or even 12 strings. These types of bass guitars are more common in electrics.

However, increasing the number of strings widens the frequency range of the instrument. This means that doing so would allow the bass guitar to reach higher octave registers. These types of bass guitars are a bit controversial since they overlap too much with the octaves of other instruments, and they don’t stay under the “bass frequency” any longer.

This kind of defeats the purpose of having and playing the bass guitar since the higher octaves can be played by other instruments instead.

Conclusion

The bass guitar is an integral instrument in the evolution of music. Without it, we probably wouldn’t enjoy the songs we listen to today. When it comes to the number of strings, having four on your instrument is probably enough.

However, if you want to cover a wider range, maybe because you’re a three-piece band, soloist, or you just want to experiment, you can try learning the other types of bass guitars. The five-, six-, or 12-string bass guitars are not that hard to find.

A lead guitar is not so much an instrument, like the bass guitar, as it is a role in a band. A bass guitarist uses a bass guitar that has four strings to play bass notes. On the other hand, a lead guitarist uses a traditional six-stringed guitar to play solos, melodies, and passages.

Learning a new instrument or starting a band is a challenging but exciting venture. To take a step into the world of music will invite struggles and difficulties in trying to achieve what you want. However, we can guarantee that all of it will be worth it in the process.

The question now is, what instrument should you learn or what role should you play in your band? Well, the two most popular options are bass and lead guitar. How do these two differ? Which one is more difficult? And which one should you choose?

In this article, we’ll show you the major differences between a bass and a lead guitar.

Bass vs. Lead Guitar

First, let’s talk about the instruments each of these uses. As we’ve mentioned, a bassist uses a bass guitar, while a lead guitarist uses an electric guitar. So, what are the differences and similarities between a bass and an electric guitar?

Strings and Tuning

The major difference between a bass and electric guitar is the number of strings, which also influence their tuning. An electric guitar has six strings and uses the standard tuning E-A-D-G-B-E.

On the other hand, a bass guitar only has four strings, and it’s significantly larger than the electric guitar. Its tuning is similar to the low four strings of the electric guitar, which means it’s E-A-D-G. However, the bass guitar is one octave lower in terms of pitch.

Playing Style

The next difference between the two is how they’re played. You’re probably familiar with the electric guitar, and you might already know that there’s a multitude of techniques to play it. First, you have the chords by which you fret. Then, you can pluck the strings, hammer on them, slide your fingers, and a whole lot more.

On the other hand, bass guitars don’t play chords. Instead, they play notes. More often than not, a guitar is played by fretting one note on one fret and plucking the string with the index finger. However, advanced bassists also have advanced skills that enhance their playing styles. These techniques may range from slapping, sliding, and muting, among others.

Role

This part is more about the role of the bassist and the lead guitarist rather than their instruments. Just like any other member of the band, each of these musicians plays a crucial role when performing songs.

  • Bass

There are thousands of amateur musicians in the world who wonder why bands even need bassists. They seem to just stand in the background, and you don’t even hear them loudly compared to the other instruments like the drums or guitars.

However, believe it or not, the bassist is actually the one who carries the entire band. Without them, the entire structure of the other instruments will fall apart. Bassists function as the backbone of each performance, especially the jazz and blues genre.

Bassists need to work with the drummer to ensure that they deliver the right groove to their songs. On the other hand, they also play the foundation notes necessary when the lead guitarist is playing his/her solo. Without the bassist, the band’s music would sound empty, if not awkward, as if it’s missing something.

  • Lead

If the bassist is the backbone of the music, lead guitarists are the wings of the band that allows it to fly. They provide flavor to the song by playing the melodic notes and energizing the crowd with their electrifying solos.

Additionally, lead guitarists tend to make the band’s music unique. They often define the overall quality of the band by providing extra sounds. That’s why lead guitarists have to be very creative but structured.

Even though the bass’s role as the band’s backbone is essential, the lead guitar is also indispensable because, without them, the band would lose character. While the bassist needs to be reliable throughout the whole song, the lead guitarist would often have a moment or two to shine out.

That’s why lead guitarists also need to have a lot of finger dexterity and smooth hand movements. They often have to spice up the song’s intro, outro, and bridge.

Which Instrument is Easier and More Important?

The bass guitar only has four strings, so it should be easier, right? Well, that’s not necessarily the case. It may be true if you want to be a basic bassist and just play the right notes, but even then, you must not mess up. Otherwise, one wrong note will surely stand out and ruin the band’s chord or note progression.

Additionally, playing the basic notes of the song is the bare minimum for bassists. In some bands and genres, they also have the responsibility of adding flavor to the music. You also need to consider that the bass guitar is heavier than a regular guitar.

On the other hand, the role of the lead guitar is undoubtedly just as important. Sure, bands can still produce songs and play music with just the drummer, bassist, and rhythm guitarist, but it wouldn’t have the character necessary to cement the band into people’s hearts.

Having said that, both of these instruments require a lot of patience, discipline, and practice to master. Furthermore, they can also be improved to be more versatile than just playing singular notes every beat.

Conclusion

Do you enjoy the spotlight? Then yes, maybe the role of lead guitar suits you. Are you a team player and like being in the background supporting the entire band? Then maybe being a bassist is a better fit.

Nonetheless, whether you’re planning to be a bassist or lead guitarist, what matters most is your dedication to your craft. After all, both of these instruments and roles have their own art style, and the most important thing is how you express yourself through them.

Since Leo Fender began mass-producing bass guitars in the 50s, they have played an essential role in music. Whether you’re playing funk or punk, music isn’t the same without cranking up the volume on the bottom end.

Unfortunately, bass players are often the unsung heroes of the band and are criminally underappreciated. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of 8 songs with bass solos.

Keep reading to pay your respects to the fathers of the four-string.

8 Songs with Bass Solos to Listen to

The Who (John Entwistle) – My Generation

John Entwistle took the bass solo to a dizzying new height in The Who’s 60s defining hit, “My Generation.” While polite solos abound in jazz music of the era, Entwistle’s crushing flits of melody sound poised to rip the doors off the music establishment.

Entwistle is notorious for his hard-playing style on the bass, one that mimicked the chaotic stage show of The Who. But he wasn’t attacking the bass merely for looks – by plucking the strings aggressively, Entwistle produced a unique sound from his bass.

Often imitated but never duplicated, Entwistle is considered one of the greatest rock and roll bassists of all time. If you’re looking for proof of his greatness, look no further than his frantic bass solo in “My Generation.”

Ben Folds Five (Robert Sledge) – Song for the Dumped

Ben Folds Five confounded many music fans after gaining notoriety with their 1997 album Whatever and Ever Amen. To begin with, the band only had three members, leaving many to question what the deal with the “five” was. Even more perplexing was the band’s total lack of guitar.

That’s where Robert Sledge comes in. The bass guitarist for Ben Folds Five, Sledge had one of the most outsized gigs that any bassist could imagine, as his playing was responsible for melody and texture throughout the band’s catalog.

With the help of a Big Muff Pi fuzz pedal, Sledge has a melodic style of playing that often helps fill in the gaps left by not having a guitarist. This style, along with an impressive solo, can be heard on the Ben Folds Five classic “Song for the Dumped.”

Rush (Geddy Lee) – YYZ

Perhaps no name looms as large as Geddy Lee’s in the arena of progressive rock. As Rush’s bass guitarist, Lee’s influence on modern bass guitarists, especially those in heavy metal and rock bands, cannot be overstated.

Lee is known for his highly proficient playing, though he rarely took bass solos. Lee generally wove his intricate playing with the rest of the elements that built each Rush song. This dedication to the craft of songwriting made Rush stand apart from its prog-rock peers.

On “YYZ,” Lee does allow himself to indulge in his skills. The instrumental is a workout for the entire band, as per usual, but without Lee’s signature falsetto to work around, the bass has more room to shine. And shine it does. Blink and you’ll miss it, but between musical breaks, Lee lets his Rickenbacker bass twist and snarl.

Marvin Gaye (James Jamerson) – At Last (I Found a Love)

Between the 60s and early 70s, if you were recording for Motown Records, odds are your backing band was the Funk Brothers. Though this group of musicians did not receive credit for their work at the time, their fingerprints are all over the era’s hit pop and soul records.

James Jamerson was the regular bassist for the Funk Brothers and played on scores of Motown tracks. Because his fluid and melodic style is on display on the biggest hits of soul, Jamerson is highly influential. Rolling Stone magazine named him the best bassist of all time.

On Marvin Gaye’s “At Last (I Found a Love),” Jamerson gets the opportunity to show his stuff, making the most of a rare solo to bolster Gaye’s impassioned vocals and send the song to an even higher level of funk.

Ween (Mean Ween) – Joppa Road

The credits on Ween’s 1994 album Chocolate and Cheese list Mean Ween as the bassist for the album. Obviously, Mean Ween is not a real person. The band seems to revel in the mystery, answering fan questions regarding the identity of Mean Ween with subterfuge and nonsense.

So who is it that is playing the bass solo on Ween’s sublime “Joppa Road?” While recording Chocolate and Cheese, Ween did not have a dedicated bass player. Either principal member, Gene Ween or Dean Ween, could have played on the song. Or perhaps the album’s producer, Andrew Weiss, is the culprit.

Maybe the mystery is part of the appeal. Regardless of who is playing the bass solo on “Joppa Road,” it’s a surprising turn for the largely acoustic tune, one that rewards the listener with a dose of funk.

Foghat (Nick Jameson) – Slow Ride

Foghat stumbled upon “Slow Ride” while jamming with their new bassist, Nick Jameson. After the group locked into the riff, they knew they were on to something good. It wouldn’t be long until the entire song was fleshed out, and a classic 70s rocker was born.

There are two versions of the classic Foghat single “Slow Ride.” One is a little under four minutes long, is played heavily on classic-rock radio stations, and has found its way onto several different movies and tv shows. The other is an eight-minute epic that delivers on the titular promise of the track.

If it’s a bass solo you’re looking for, be sure to listen to the LP version of “Slow Ride” on the album Fool for the City. After about five minutes of a slow ride, that’s when Jameson shines.

Red Hot Chili Peppers (Flea) – Aeroplane

Rarely do bass players become household names, but Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers is one of the most famous names in modern rock. Though stage antics and pop chart appeal have propelled the Red Hot Chili Peper’s career, the band is just as highly regarded for their musicianship.

Flea’s unique brand of punkish slap bass brought funk music to an alternative audience, injecting rhythm into the flannelled grunge terrain of the 90s. His popularity has transcended music. As an actor, Flea has appeared in dozens of movies, including My Own Private Idaho and The Big Lebowski.

But music is Flea’s true passion, and on the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Aeroplane,” a song about the power of music, Flea gets a musical star turn with his grooving bass solo.

Led Zeppelin (John Paul Jones) – The Lemon Song

There are more technically impressive bass solos, but few have the bluesy swagger of John Paul Jones’ line in Led Zeppelin’s “The Lemon Song.” Jones’ ability to craft melodic basslines that still resonated melodically came from his experience as a composer, which Jones did before his stint in Led Zeppelin.

Jones’ impact on bass guitarists is impressive. He has influenced some of the best rock bassists of all time, and music fans often cite him as the best in rock polls. Jones’ notoriety led to post Zeppelin work scoring an orchestra for R.E.M. and playing mandolin with The Foo Fighters.

But “The Lemon Song” is all about that bass. Jones plays loose and groovy before Jimmy Page rips the song to shreds with a blazing guitar solo. The potent one-two punch makes this song one of Zeppelin’s best.

Final Thoughts on Bass Solos

Whether it’s smooth like butter or crashes like thunder, the bass plays an essential role in music. Though basslines generally define the structure and rhythm of songs, the best bass players always have more to add.

A bass solo is a wondrous thing, which is why we made a list of 8 songs with bass solos. Enjoy these rare sightings of bass guitarists in the spotlight and cherish all the funky fun they provide.

The lead singer is often the frontrunner and face of every band, but the bassist is equally important in the group. They have that steady presence in a group that holds it together and they tend to be the actual leader behind the scenes.

The deep strum of a bass guitar may not dazzle everyone like a good electric guitar riff or throaty singing in the mic, but it enhances the song from the shadows. The bassist lurks in the background, armed with their guitar and vibing with the music mysteriously.

Here is a list of a few songs that will explain how a good bass line takes a song a level above, from good to perfect.

Get ready to get blown away by some good music and beats that will raise the admiration you hold for both the instrument and its player.

16 Songs With Good Bass

Song # 1: Superstition by Stevie Wonder

It is hard to choose only one of Stevie Wonder’s songs to include in the list as an excellent underlying bass line is a hallmark of his. Stevie Wonder’s jazzy voice goes perfectly with the bass, making it a wildly popular hit.

Song # 2: Money by Pink Floyd

You will rarely find bands where the bassist is also the lead singer. This is why it comes as no surprise that Pink Floyd ended up defying all odds to become one of the few bands that do.

Roger Waters filled in as the leader that took Pink Floyd to new heights, all while playing his guitar and occasionally singing alongside Richard Wright.

Their song Money is famous for its iconic bass that resounds well when you listen to it with its official video.

Song # 3: Another One Bites the Dust by Queen

When you say Queen, Freddy Mercury automatically comes to mind. He is arguably the best frontman of a band to ever grace the stage.

However, while his vocals were a very strong point, they often took away the spotlight from equally talented band members.

Another One Bites the Dust is the perfect example of how the upbeat music and bass of John Deacon made a song the hit it is today.

Song # 4: Come Together by The Beatles

It comes as no surprise that The Beatles make the list. They were the band that singlehandedly revolutionized the whole music industry.

Their rock-n-roll songs, coupled with Paul McCartney’s iconic bass line, made Come Together just another one of the Beatle’s routine hits.

Song # 5: Feel Good Inc by Gorillaz

What makes the Gorillaz one of the most fabled bands is that we have not been able to put a face to their voice.

Their animated music videos and elaborate storylines that follow their songs are mysterious and exceptional enough for us to love them.

Song # 6: Give it Away Now by Red Hot Chilli Peppers

Let’s be honest; Red Hot Chilli Peppers deserve a whole new list of the best bass songs ever made. Even then, their next strongest competitor will still end up being the Red Hot Chilli Peppers themselves – that’s how good they are!

Flea is right up there with the best bassists ever, and his bass lines are what set Red Hot Chilli Peppers apart from other rock bands.

Song # 7: Billie Jean by Michael Jackson

The song starts with an upbeat bass line which is probably the most famous and recognizable everywhere in the world.

This song became an instant hit, and what makes it a classic is that it introduced us to Michael Jackson’s famous Moonwalk.

Song # 8: The Chain by Fleetwood Mac

Fleetwood Mac is a very underrated band which is a pity. They are unique in the sense that they often sing together in a group instead of having a solo lead vocalist.

The bass lines of this song go perfectly with the rise and fall of their voice pitches.

Song # 9: So What by Miles Davis

Even if you are not into jazz, you can’t escape this song. So What is the most famous jazz song in the world, and its alternating piano and horn are further enhanced by the masterpiece of a bass line.

It is true that you probably hear the horn the most throughout the song, but its deep bass made it one of the most recognizable songs in the world.

Song # 10: My Generation by The Who

The Who walked so My Chemical Romance could run. Not many people know this but The Who were the front runners of punk rock music and incorporated bass into it.

The Who created a classic rebellious punk rock song showered here and there with a few solo bass parts, which just goes to show how talented John Entwistle was.

Song # 11: Ramble On by Led Zeppelin

John Paul Jones is widely recognized as the most influential bassist, and this song showcases his expertise.

Led Zeppelin wouldn’t be one of the best rock n roll bands today if Jones couldn’t harmonize his bass with Jimmy Page’s guitar and Robert Plant’s voice.

Song # 12: Hysteria by Muse

This song ranks on top of the list of the best bassline of all time. You will probably agree with the ranking if you have heard the song too.

Chris Wolstenholme let’s all his talent flow through his hands as he absolutely nails the masterpiece.

Song # 13: The Ace of Spades by Motorhead

Motorhead is the second British rock band to be included in the list. Lemmy Kilmister, the frontman of the band, singer, songwriter, is also the bassist.

The wild bass line is so skilled that it almost makes you believe you are hearing somebody shredding a guitar and is the reason behind this being Motorhead’s most hit single.

Song # 14: Under Pressure by David Bowie and Queen

When two legendary rock stars come together, it can only result in the production of a legendary song. This is exactly what happened when David Bowie and Queen collaborated during Under Pressure.

The song was an instant hit, and its introductory bass line was one of the main reasons why. It proved instantly popular, and many other artists copied it to include it in their songs too.

Ever wondered why Vanilla Ice’s “Ice Ice Baby” sounds so familiar? It has the same bass line as Under Pressure.

Song # 15: What’s Going On by Marvin Gaye

No, it’s not that song by 3 Non-Blondes, but it’s just as good. What’s Going On kick-started Gaye’s illustrious career and proved that good bass lines don’t exist in rock songs only.

Song # 16: Come As You Are by Nirvana

We simply couldn’t conclude the list without including the rock legends Nirvana in it. Nirvana had a career that burnt like a fire short but very bright. They were at their peak in the ’90s when Come As You Are was released.

The song had an epic opening bass line followed by a set of lyrics that took the world by the storm. The lyrics complemented the bass line and vice versa, making this song perfect.

The Bass Line

We hope you enjoyed reading this blog on ’16 Best Bass Songs’ and will definitely add some in your playlist.

Which one of these songs is your favorite? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Hang around musicians long enough, and you will hear a joke or two about bass players. Though often the butt of jokes, without their bottom-end, music would not move us in quite the same way.

People always remember a charismatic lead singer. Fans swoon over rip-roaring lead guitar licks. As for the bass player? Well, they get relegated to the back of the stage. But a bass line has the power to make a good song great. We’ve compiled 10 famous bass lines in appreciation of these unsung heroes. Come groove along with us.

Lou Reed – Walk on the Wild Side

Lou Reed’s biggest hit, 1972’s “Walk on the Wild Side,” is one of the most recognizable bass lines in rock and roll and hip-hop history. This notoriety is due to A Tribe Called Quest sampling “Walk on the Wild Side” on their iconic 1990 single “Can I Kick It.”

Bass player Herbie Flowers, who played with iconic acts such as T. Rex and David Bowie, used two separate basses to get the sound you hear on “Walk on the Wild Side.” The primary bass is an acoustic stand-up bass. Listen closely, however, and you can hear an electric bass ascending to a higher octave while the stand-up descends. The results were legendary.

Freddie Hubbard – Red Clay

When Freddie Hubbard joined fledgling CTI Records in 1970, jazz was undergoing a sea change. The trumpeter had prior success on Blue Note and Atlantic Records with his brand of hardbop, but as the 60s came to an end, jazz began fusing with rock and soul. Hubbard took note, and Red Clay became the standard for 70s jazz.

Ron Carter deserves the credit for the groove “Red Clay.” A legend in jazz circles, Carter played on 2,221 recording sessions over his career. His bass playing on “Red Clay” serves as the funky anchor that allows the rest of the players to explore experimental solos without fear of sending the song off into the ether.

James Brown & The Famous Flames – I Got You (I Feel Good)

People can’t help but dance when “I Got You (I Feel Good)” starts playing. The groove is infectious, and when coupled with James Brown’s waling delivery, audiences were left powerless to do anything but shake it. “I Got You (I Feel Good)” would become a top ten hit in 1965 and the biggest hit of Brown’s storied, fifty-year career.

Thanks in part to its placement in film, television, and advertising throughout the latter half of the 20th century, “I Got You (I Feel Good)” has managed to outlast even the extraordinary long career of Brown himself. Due to its famous bassline, “I Got You (I Feel Good)” served as a precursor to the 70s funk explosion.

The Breeders – Cannonball

Initially formed as a side project by Pixies bassist Kim Deal, by 1993 the Pixies had broken up. In turn, The Breeders became Deal’s main project. With grunge and alternative music sweeping the nation, The Breeders released their slinky, supercharged single “Cannonball” to unexpected chart success.

Despite her notoriety as the bassist of the Pixies, Deal isn’t playing bass on “Cannonball.” Josephine Wiggs was enlisted as The Breeders’ bass player and wrote the simple bass line that opens the song. The simplicity of Wiggs’ bassline is immediately recognizable to alternative rock fans and is a classic representation of grunge ethos.

Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell – Ain’t No Mountain High Enough

Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell had a string of hits in the mid-60s, but none are as enduring as “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” The song has all the benchmarks of a classic Motown tune: great songwriting, stunning vocal performances, and a masterful bass line.

James Jamerson isn’t a household name, though you have heard him play. As part of the Funk Brothers, the Motown Records house band, Jamerson played bass on nearly everything from Motown between 1963 and 1968. Jamerson’s playing on “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” highlights his talent for writing bass lines that sound like conversations with the rest of the melody.

Queen – Another One Bites the Dust

Queen’s “Another One Bites the Dust” is a perfect example of what happens when a band lets their bass player write a song. The John Deacon penned number is a simple, danceable composition that topped the charts, sold millions of records, and has since become an immediately recognizable entry in the band’s canon.

John Deacon co-wrote quite a few of Queen’s biggest hits, including the equally infectious and bass-heavy “Under Pressure.” None of these hits stack up to “Another One Bites the Dust” though, as its plodding bass line provides the track with rhythm, melody, and a menacing attitude. It’s a masterclass in composition and space – a surefire dancefloor hit.

CHIC – Good Times

With the bass line to “Good Times,” CHIC’s Bernard Edwards single-handedly changed music history. “Good Times” topped the Billboard Chart in 1979 and could be heard in Discos across the country, but more importantly, the bass line became the basis for Sugarhill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight.”

Credited as the first song to bring hip-hop to a mainstream audience, the effect of “Rapper’s Delight” on modern music cannot be overstated. With Edwards’ recognizable bass line serving as their anchor, Sugarhill Gang laid the groundwork for the hip-hop genre. Their effort would help usher the genre from underground phenomenon to mainstream acceptance.

Buzzcocks – Why Can’t I Touch It?

Bouncy, dancefloor-ready anthems probably aren’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think about punk rock, but Buzzcocks’ “Why Can’t I Touch It?” might go a long way in changing that stereotype. The song, the b-side to their single “Everybody’s Happy Nowadays,” has become a staple at hipster dance parties.

Buzzcocks and “Why Can’t I Touch It?” serve as a stepping stone for punk and independent music, bringing rhythm and melody to the forefront of their songwriting. Though the band would barely make it into the 80s, their influence reverberated throughout the decade, and their mark on the pop-punk genre remains today.

Tom Tom Club – Genius of Love

Tom Tom Club’s “Genius of Love” bass line is immediately recognizable, though you might not know exactly which song you’re hearing. Though Tom Tom Club had Top 40 success with “Genius of Love” in 1981, the song has become iconic primarily due to its second life. Through the 80s, “Genius of Love” was tirelessly sampled by hip-hop producers. Then in 1995, Mariah Carey had a worldwide hit sampling the song in her single “Fantasy.”

We have Tina Weymouth to thank for this timeless groove. Her bass composition for “Genius of Love” would be enough for a special place in conversations surrounding bass, but as a founding member of the Talking Heads, she also played iconic bass lines on classics like “Psycho Killer” and “Once in a Lifetime.”

Commodores – Brick House

It doesn’t get much funkier than the Commodores’ “Brick House.” Though the band is primarily remembered for their lead singer Lionel Richie’s smooth vocals on ballads like “Easy,” they could let it all hang out with Ronald LaPread on the bass.

The funky, gold-standard bass line of “Brick House” came together accidentally. During a technical issue in the recording studio, LaPread started jamming alone on an improvised bass riff. Pretty soon, the whole band joined in. When their producer heard the resulting jam session, he suggested the band shape it into a song. Later that year it would reach #5 on the Top 40 charts.

10 Famous Bass Lines Conclusion

While casual listeners might not know the names of famous bassists, they can certainly recognize their bass lines. Without these memorable and melodic contributions to music, we would never experience the propulsive rhythms that call us to dance — or their contributions to exciting new genres. Now go ahead and shake your groove thing.

Although both guitars have the same purpose, acoustic and electric bass guitars are very different instruments. Some people will choose the electric bass over the acoustic bass by default because electric bass guitars are much more popular. Consider the major similarities and differences of both below. You might decide that an acoustic bass is more suited to your needs. Or you might seek out the versatility of an electric bass.

What is an Acoustic Bass?

An acoustic bass guitar is a little bit different from a classic acoustic guitar. You will usually find six strings on an acoustic guitar, but only four strings on an acoustic bass guitar. The notes available are in a lower octave than a regular acoustic guitar. The acoustic bass is not widely popular due to its soft sound.

Some musicians will choose an acoustic bass over an electric bass due to its richer tones. Country, jazz, and several other music genres blend well with the sound of an acoustic bass guitar. However, it can be difficult to hear an acoustic bass once backing vocals and other instruments are added into the mix.

Here’s a really good acoustic bass solo:

What is an Electric Bass?

An electric bass guitar is an instrument with four strings that need to be connected to an amplifier. The typical electric bass features the notes E-A-D-G, making it a full octave lower than a regular acoustic or electric guitar.

Most musicians who perform on stage opt for the loud volume of an electric bass guitar. They can practice quietly with an unplugged bass but experiment with louder sound and unique effects once they hit the stage.

Here’s what the electric bass guitar looks and sounds like:

Major Similarities

Both the acoustic bass and the electric bass guitar are similar instruments. They were created for the same purpose. You should understand the essential similarities between the two before you weigh their differences.

4-Stringed Instruments

Both of these instruments are stringed instruments, which means you play them by plucking at the strings with your fingers or a guitar pick. They only have four strings because these guitars play a lower register of notes than a regular guitar.

An acoustic bass creates sound from the vibrations of the strings, which a simple soundboard amplifies. The electric bass is slightly different and uses an amplifier to produce sound.

Maintenance Requirements

Both electric and acoustic bass guitars are delicate instruments that require maintenance. If you neglect to care for either type of guitar, you can cause significant damage. You need to store them away in a guitar case any time they are not being played. You should also protect them from extremely cold and extremely hot temperatures. Be careful about how you clean your bass guitar, too. Do not use harsh chemicals or rough tools that could damage the body, frets, or fretboard.

Major Differences

The acoustic bass and the electric bass are two instruments that feature more differences than similarities. These differences mean that they are significantly different instruments. You might find that one is better suited to your needs than the other.

Amp or No Amp

Perhaps the biggest difference between these guitars is power. With an acoustic bass, you do not need any power. However, some acoustic bass models give you the option to hook up an amplifier to boost sound. If you own an electric bass, you must have an amplifier to create sound.

Tone

Many people are attracted to the acoustic bass for its distinct tone. The rich, clear tone of an acoustic bass cannot be replicated with the electric bass. While you might be able to modify and enhance the sound and tone with the electric bass, you will not be able to achieve the fullness of an acoustic bass guitar. This tone is often associated with jazz and country music.

Volume

The volume of an electric bass guitar is superior to the acoustic bass. You can try to make it louder or softer through your playing, but it may be harder to hear an acoustic bass over the sound of other instruments.

With an electric bass, you can amplify the sound and increase the volume with ease. You can also modify and enhance the sound with various controls on an amplifier.

Versatility

The electric bass guitar should be at the top of your list if you are looking for versatility. Electric bass guitars are a popular instrument that works well in almost any genre of music. Rock, pop, hip hop, funk, and more are well-suited to the sound of an electric bass. Plus, you can use the amplifier to create a unique sound and tone to fit your music perfectly.

Acoustic bass guitars are seen more in a few select music genres. These instruments blend effortlessly with country and jazz music due to their distinct, rich tone. You are also not at liberty to play along with many other people or instruments due to the softer sound of an acoustic bass.

Cost

The extra components of an electric bass guitar mean that it is typically more expensive than an acoustic bass guitar. You can find acoustic bass options for as low as $150. However, there are more and more electric bass guitars on the market that do not cost too much more.

Ease for Beginners

For beginners, an acoustic bass is harder to learn. The strings are harder to press because they are made out of metal. The heavy strings are required to make more vibrations. Compared to an electric bass guitar, which does need to create as many vibrations with the strings to create sound.

You do not have to press too hard to pluck the thinner strings with the electric bass guitar. And the strings are set closer to the frets, making it easier to begin learning how to play the bass.

Potential Damage

Electric bass guitars are hardier instruments. When you play the bass, you will see that you constantly slap, tap, and strum to get the desired effect of the music. On an acoustic bass, you can more easily damage delicate components. Players who do not have much experience may be too aggressive with an acoustic bass. Electric bass guitars are designed to resist damage.

Which Option is Better for You?

The answer to this question is not simple cut-and-dry. You need to consider several different factors before you make a decision. If you are a beginner, you might be attracted to the ease of learning how to play an electric bass guitar. But if you are more focused on the type of sound, you could decide on the acoustic bass. Someone with enough prior experience and skills can find a lot of success with an acoustic bass guitar.

Remember to think about your budget, too. Acoustic bass guitars are less expensive, but they might not hold up to rigorous playing. You can actually find many affordable electric bass options on the market compared to several years ago.

For people who are just getting started with stringed instruments in general, learning the differences between a bass guitar and a regular guitar might seem daunting.

However, while these instruments look and feel quite similar in a few areas, they are different in many important ways as well.

Taking a look at these defining features can help you clearly understand how a bass and a guitar compare with one another so that you can decide which you’d rather start playing or studying in greater depth.

Is one harder to pick up than the other? What is the role of each instrument in a band? What about the price range of one versus the other?

How Do Guitars and Bass Instruments Differ?

Let’s start with the most apparent and practical differences between a regular guitar and a bass guitar. Being able to spot these differentiating traits right off the bat will help you immediately determine which instrument you’re dealing with. And, knowing how key differences actually affect the playability and sound of the instrument can help you determine which one might suit you better as a musician.

Strings and Sound

What you’ll immediately notice while comparing a guitar and a bass side by side is that a guitar usually has six strings and a bass generally only has four. Interestingly, the strings on a guitar vary in thickness much more than the strings on a bass do. This grade variation in the strings directly impacts the range of the instrument’s sound.

Since a guitar has more strings, and those strings have more grade variation than the strings of a bass, a guitar is solidly classified as a melodic instrument. A guitar has a much wider tonal range than a bass does, potentially allowing skilled musicians the opportunity to play more complicated melodic pieces with higher riffs than they’d be able to pull off with a bass.

The bass, with its four thick strings and their comparatively lower grade variation, creates a narrower sound range that rests at right around an octave lower than that of a guitar. This deeper pitch is perfect for accompanying other instruments to make a song sound more solid and complete.

If you’d like to practice getting familiar with the differences between basses and guitars, then trying to pick them out in music videos or on stage is a great way to do it. The quickest way to tell the two types of instruments apart is by looking at the headstock and checking out the number of tuning pins–there’s one for every string, and the tuning pegs are way easier to count quickly than the strings themselves are!

Take note: Occasionally, you will run into a bass that has five or six strings. However, these are uncommon and their range is still low, just like the range of a four-string bass.

While the range of a bass is admittedly more limited than that of a guitar, you can still build yourself some complex playing skills and carve out a personal style that can completely change how a song sounds. Some people fail to show the appreciation that the bass deserves–but they’d definitely feel like the music was missing something if it weren’t there! The bass truly does serve as the foundation of a band’s sound.

Speaking of strings and sound, here’s a short video (and funny in my opinion) of bass vs guitar:

Body Size, Playability, and Price

In both acoustic and electric varieties, guitars tend to run smaller than basses do. For an acoustic bass, the increased size offers greater resonance and projection for those deep tones. When you’re talking electric, a guitar and bass are more likely to be closer in size. Despite any size differences, both guitars and basses can usually be played either sitting down without a strap, or standing up with one.

So, what about the price of one instrument versus the other? Well, since basses tend to run a bit larger than guitars, you can probably already imagine that they’re bound to be a bit more expensive. A bass will run you an average of $50 more than a comparable guitar will, simply because the production of the bass requires more raw materials during production. Additionally, there’s a significantly higher demand for guitars than there is for bass instruments, so many stores will tack on a bit of additional cost to make the profitability of selling basses more worthwhile: Since they sell fewer bass instruments, they charge more for each one than they would for a guitar of similar size and quality.

In terms of playability, a lot of people get thrown off by the knowledge that the bass is restricted to a lower range, thinking that this means that it must be played much differently in order to sound good. However, basses and guitars are essentially played using the same methods. You can play scales, chords, and riffs on both instruments, and you can apply any music theory you’ve learned to either one as well. The biggest difference is that you simply have more of a pitch range to play those scales and chords on a guitar than you do on a bass: You can play most of the same riffs and notes on a bass that you can play on a guitar–the bass will just sound deeper.

In short: The deep range of the bass doesn’t restrict playability as much as some people might think. You will still have plenty of room for creativity and personal expression if you take up bass playing, and the instrument won’t hold you back in terms of playing with more complex methods as you progress your musical skills.

If you’re just starting out, the general consensus is that bass is easier to learn than guitar. Since many classic bass riffs are meant to support guitar melodies, they tend to be simpler to learn. Thanks to the availability of simplified versions of most bass songs, you’ll be able to master your favorites and start getting creative more quickly!

Role in a Band Setting

While a bass might look more like a guitar than most other instruments you’ll see in a band, bass players actually provide rhythm and depth that many musicians would compare more closely to a percussion instrument. You might play a bass the same way you play a guitar, but you apply your techniques very differently in a band setting.

If you’re interested in playing complex melodies that directly complement the vocalist in a band, then you’ll want to experiment more with the guitar. The same holds true if you want to shred at center stage and play fancy solos: A guitar will offer you a much greater range than a bass can in terms of tone.

If you play bass in a band, you’ll actually be working most closely with the drummer. You can sort of think of a bass as the instrument that bridges the gap between the sound of the drums and the sound of the guitar and other melodic instruments: Your bass accompaniment will add a rich layer of depth that reinforces the beat of the song, harmonizing and helping to form an amazing foundation for higher-pitched melodic instruments to build off of.

Remember:

A bass guitar and a regular guitar, either acoustic or electric, may look very similar at first glance. And, as a musician, you can apply many of the same techniques and snippets of musical theory to both–so don’t hesitate to branch out if you’ve already started playing either one. You’ll be able to reach high levels of complexity with either instrument in terms of technique as you build up your musical skills, too.

However, there are definitely key differences between guitars and basses, such as size, price, tone, pitch range, and the role that the instrument plays in a band’s sound. Each one of these things is important to consider so that you can determine which instrument will fit your musical personality best!

As you expand your skills with the bass guitar, you might be looking for techniques that let you really flex your musical talent.

The slap bass technique has been around since the late 1960s and produces one of the most iconic sounds. The slap bass technique has been responsible for altering the music landscape forever.

From funk to classic rock to modern rock, slapping has been an incredible invention and tool for musicians today.

And while it continues to be used today, it had humble beginnings with American funk bands and musicians. But you might be interested in learning more about slap bass and what it has been able to offer the music world.

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