A1 noun Neutral

bass

/beɪs/

The bass is the lowest range of musical notes or the lowest-sounding part in a piece of music. It also refers to a person with a very deep singing voice or instruments like the bass guitar that play low notes.

Examples

3 of 5
1

The bass in this song is very loud and makes the floor shake.

The low-frequency sound in this track is powerful and vibrates the ground.

2

The conductor requested the bass section to play more softly during the solo.

The leader asked the musicians playing low notes to reduce their volume.

3

Turn up the bass on the speakers so we can feel the beat.

Increase the low-pitched sound settings to better experience the rhythm.

Word Family

Noun
bass
Adjective
bass
Related
bassist
💡

Memory Tip

Think of the 'Bass' as the 'Base' (foundation) of the music. They sound the same and both mean the bottom part.

Quick Quiz

He plays the electric ___ in a famous rock band.

Correct!

The correct answer is: a

Examples

1

The bass in this song is very loud and makes the floor shake.

everyday

The low-frequency sound in this track is powerful and vibrates the ground.

2

The conductor requested the bass section to play more softly during the solo.

formal

The leader asked the musicians playing low notes to reduce their volume.

3

Turn up the bass on the speakers so we can feel the beat.

informal

Increase the low-pitched sound settings to better experience the rhythm.

4

The study analyzes how bass frequencies propagate through different architectural materials.

academic

The research looks at how low-pitched sounds travel through building substances.

5

Our new line of bass amplifiers will be released next quarter.

business

Our company is launching new equipment for low-pitched instruments soon.

Word Family

Noun
bass
Adjective
bass
Related
bassist

Common Collocations

bass guitar a stringed instrument used for low notes
bass line the sequence of low notes in a song
double bass the largest and lowest instrument in the violin family
bass player a musician who plays a low-pitched instrument
heavy bass a very strong and loud low-frequency sound

Common Phrases

drop the bass

a moment in electronic music where the low frequencies return heavily

slap the bass

a specific technique for playing the bass guitar

bass clef

a symbol in music notation for low notes

Often Confused With

bass vs base

Base refers to the bottom or foundation of something, while bass (pronounced the same) refers to music.

bass vs bass (fish)

The fish is pronounced like 'glass', while the musical term is pronounced like 'face'.

📝

Usage Notes

In a musical context, 'bass' is always pronounced /beɪs/. It can be used as a noun or as an adjective to describe an instrument or a voice.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Many learners mispronounce the musical 'bass' as /bæs/ (like the fish). Remember that music bass rhymes with 'face'.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the 'Bass' as the 'Base' (foundation) of the music. They sound the same and both mean the bottom part.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Middle English word 'bas', coming from the Latin 'bassus', meaning 'low' or 'short'.

Grammar Patterns

countable noun (plural: basses) often used as a modifier (bass singer, bass speaker) the word is singular when referring to the general range of sound
🌍

Cultural Context

In modern Electronic Dance Music (EDM) and Hip-Hop, the 'bass' is often the most important element of the production.

Quick Quiz

He plays the electric ___ in a famous rock band.

Correct!

The correct answer is: a

More music words

octave

A1

An octave is the distance between two musical notes where the higher note has double the frequency of the lower one. In a standard musical scale, it includes eight notes, such as from one 'C' to the next 'C' above it.

measure

A1

In music, a measure is a small section of a piece of music that contains a specific number of beats. It is the space between two vertical lines on a musical staff that helps musicians keep track of the rhythm.

guitar

A1

A musical instrument that usually has six strings and a long neck. It is played by plucking or strumming the strings with your fingers or a pick.

cello

A1

A large musical instrument with four strings that is played with a bow. The player sits down and holds the instrument between their knees while playing.

clarinet

A1

A musical instrument shaped like a long black tube with metal keys. You play it by blowing into a mouthpiece with a single reed to create sound.

oboe

A1

An oboe is a musical instrument that belongs to the woodwind family. It has a long, thin body and uses a double reed to create a high, clear, and distinct sound.

trumpet

A1

A musical instrument made of brass that you play by blowing into it and pressing three valves. It has a bright, powerful sound and is often used in jazz, classical music, and marching bands.

drum

A1

A musical instrument made of a hollow body covered with a tight skin or plastic. It is played by hitting it with sticks or your hands to create a rhythmic sound.

timpani

A1

Timpani are large, bowl-shaped drums usually made of copper and played in an orchestra. They are also called kettledrums because they look like big pots and can be tuned to specific musical notes.

piano

A1

A large musical instrument with a row of black and white keys that are pressed to make sound. It produces music by hitting wire strings with small hammers and is used in many styles of music.

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