A critical element in hip-hop, the bass is the king of the low-end that really helps to define a hip-hop song. We'll take a look at the bass and explore how you can incorporate it into your beats so that they sound more hard-hitting.
The main role of the bass is to anchor the harmonic structure of a song. In simpler terms, the bass is the foundation of a song's harmonic elements. The pads, the leads, and the groove sit on top of the bass.
One of the important properties about the bass and it's role in anchoring harmonies is that you can often change the sound of a chord played on the pads or the groove by simply changing out the bass note. For example, choose any major or minor triad and play that part in your right hand. Now, have the root of the chord played by your left hand for the bass. For example, if you are playing an F major triad with F, A, C as the notes, play F as the bass note. Now, play the same F major triad but use a different note for the bass. Try using the 3rd or 5th scale degree as the bass note now and listen to how the chord is still the same but sounds different.
In hip-hop, many parts have been used to play the bass. The range of instruments have ranged from bass parts sampled from vinyl records and low frequency sine waves to live bass being played on a track. A more recent development within hip-hop, especially southern hip-hop, is using a pitched kick drum with a long-sustain to play the bass. Thus, the kick drum and the bass have been fused together.
Whatever instrument you choose for your bass part, bass lines essentially fall into two categories. The first category is sustained bass lines which are designed to serve as the foundation for the other harmonic elements such as the pads and the groove. With this style of bass, the notes played are usually half-notes or even whole notes on the bass part. There is usually no rhythmic quality to this style of bass. A good example of this style of bass would be "Hard Knock Life" by Jay-Z. The other style of bass would be a more rhythmic style where the bass has an essential role in a song's rhythmic foundation. Think of a funk song and how the bass has a very rhythmic quality to it and you'll understand this style of bass. An example of this style of bass appearing in hip-hop would be "Money Ain't A Thang" by Jay-Z.
Try out different styles of bass lines and listen to how producers incorporate bass into their tracks. The bass along with the drums, is the foundation of a great hip-hop beat so be sure to develop it well.
The main role of the bass is to anchor the harmonic structure of a song. In simpler terms, the bass is the foundation of a song's harmonic elements. The pads, the leads, and the groove sit on top of the bass.
One of the important properties about the bass and it's role in anchoring harmonies is that you can often change the sound of a chord played on the pads or the groove by simply changing out the bass note. For example, choose any major or minor triad and play that part in your right hand. Now, have the root of the chord played by your left hand for the bass. For example, if you are playing an F major triad with F, A, C as the notes, play F as the bass note. Now, play the same F major triad but use a different note for the bass. Try using the 3rd or 5th scale degree as the bass note now and listen to how the chord is still the same but sounds different.
In hip-hop, many parts have been used to play the bass. The range of instruments have ranged from bass parts sampled from vinyl records and low frequency sine waves to live bass being played on a track. A more recent development within hip-hop, especially southern hip-hop, is using a pitched kick drum with a long-sustain to play the bass. Thus, the kick drum and the bass have been fused together.
Whatever instrument you choose for your bass part, bass lines essentially fall into two categories. The first category is sustained bass lines which are designed to serve as the foundation for the other harmonic elements such as the pads and the groove. With this style of bass, the notes played are usually half-notes or even whole notes on the bass part. There is usually no rhythmic quality to this style of bass. A good example of this style of bass would be "Hard Knock Life" by Jay-Z. The other style of bass would be a more rhythmic style where the bass has an essential role in a song's rhythmic foundation. Think of a funk song and how the bass has a very rhythmic quality to it and you'll understand this style of bass. An example of this style of bass appearing in hip-hop would be "Money Ain't A Thang" by Jay-Z.
Try out different styles of bass lines and listen to how producers incorporate bass into their tracks. The bass along with the drums, is the foundation of a great hip-hop beat so be sure to develop it well.
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