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Wiktionary
bassline

n. (context music English) The low-pitched instrumental part of a piece of popular music.

Wikipedia
Bassline

A bassline (also known as a bass line or bass part) is the term used in many styles of popular music, such as jazz, blues, funk, dub and electronic, or traditional music, for the low-pitched instrumental part or line played by a rhythm section instrument such as the electric bass, double bass, cello, tuba or keyboard ( piano, Hammond organ, electric organ, or synthesizer). It is also used sometimes in classical music. In solo performance, basslines may simply be played in the lower register of any instrument such as guitar while melody and/or further accompaniment is provided in the middle or upper register. In solo music for piano and pipe organ, these instruments can be used to play a deep bassline.

Basslines in popular music often use "riffs" or " grooves", which are usually simple, appealing musical motifs or phrases that are repeated, with variation, throughout the song. "The bass differs from other voices because of the particular role it plays in supporting and defining harmonic motion. It does so at levels ranging from immediate, chord-by-chord events to the larger harmonic organization of entire work." Bassline riffs usually emphasize the chord tones of each chord (usually the root note, the third note, or the fifth note), which helps to define a song's key. At the same time, basslines work along with the drum part and the other rhythm instruments to create a clear rhythmic pulse.

The type of rhythmic pulse used in basslines varies widely in different types of music. In swing jazz and jump blues, basslines are often created from a continuous sequence of quarter notes in a mostly scalar, stepwise part called a "walking bass line". In Latin, salsa music, jazz fusion, reggae, electronica, and some types of rock and metal, basslines may be very rhythmically complex and syncopated. In bluegrass and traditional country music, basslines often emphasize the root and fifth of each chord. Though basslines may be played by many different types of instruments and in a broad musical range, they are generally played on bass instruments and in the range roughly at least an octave and a half below middle C. In classical music such as string quartets and symphonies, basslines play the same harmonic and rhythmic role; however, they are usually referred to as the "bass voice" or the "bass part".

Bassline (music genre)

Bassline (or sometimes referred to as bassline house) is a type of music related to UK garage that originated from speed garage, and shares characteristics with fellow subgenres dubstep and grime for their emphasis on bass. The style originated in Sheffield around 2002.

Bassline was a cause of controversy in Sheffield due to a police raid at the former bassline nightclub "Niche", resulting in its closure. Since it was the most popular bassline nightclub in Sheffield prior to its closure, "Niche" is sometimes used as an alternative name for the musical genre. Like grime, bassline was associated with violence, anti-social behaviour and criminal activity during the time of its rise to popularity.

Bassline (Chris Brown song)

"Bassline" is a song by American recording artist Chris Brown, taken from his fifth studio album Fortune (2012). It was written by Andrea Simms, Andrew "Pop" Wansel, Brown, David Johnson, Robert Calloway, Ronald "Flippa" Colson and Warren "Oak" Felder. The song was produced by Pop Wansel and Dayvi Jae. Musically, "Bassline" is a dubstep, electropop and electrohop song, which incorporates elements of reggae. Instrumentation is provided by a wobble bass and synthesizers. The song contains lyrics about Brown telling a woman to leave the nightclub with him. "Bassline" garnered mixed reviews from music critics; some reviewers noted it as one of the standout tracks on the album, while others criticized the song's production and lyrics. It also received comparisons to the songs by Kesha and LMFAO. Upon the release of Fortune, "Bassline" debuted at numbers 28 and 122 on the UK R&B Chart and UK Singles Chart, respectively.

Bassline (disambiguation)

Bassline is the music term for the low-pitched instrumental part or line played by a rhythm section instrument.

Bassline may also refer to:

  • Bassline (music genre), a type of music related to UK garage
  • "Bassline" (Chris Brown song), 2012
  • "Bassline" (Reverend and The Makers song)

Usage examples of "bassline".

She scrolled through the selection and plucked a favourite bassline from her digital killing jar.

It was the bassline you followed with your feet, the bassline that gave Jungle its soul.

Flute, white noise, snares and bassline, stretching off for a long time, an unbroken architecture of deserted beats.

She pulled the record back, let it forward again a little, pulled it back, scratching playfully like an old school rapper, finally releasing her hand and switching off the first tune in a smooth movement, unleashing the new bassline.

He could not even hear it himself in the cacophony of beats and basslines.

The beats that slid insidiously from the speakers were all at the high end, cymbals, no bassline.

Somewhere behind them, a thudding bassline had started up, accompanied by electronic screams.

With that, Martin threw himself into the fray, assuming a harmony that linked Eiko's accompaniment with Dund's bassline, and, in that peculiar fashion they'd worked out over the years, directing the flow of the music from the background.