Why Bass Is The Most Important Instrument According to Science
“How Is a Garbage Man Similar to a Bass Player? They Both Take a Lot of Crap From People.”
Bassists tend to get a bad rap. Often overlooked and subjected to “he’s only the bass player” jokes. Yeah, you know the ones. But bassists actually have the most crucial role in the band. Don’t believe me? It’s scientifically proven. Bass is the most important instrument. An essential part of any song. Much like pizza needs cheese, music needs bass.
The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences performed a study to understand the importance of the bass guitar in music. The researchers played “high pitched” and “low pitched” streams of music at the same time. The results showed the brain understands rhythmic patterns much better when they’re played at lower frequencies. Meaning? People have an easier time picking up on the changes in the low pitched notes of a bass guitar.
A different study from Northwestern University found music with prominent bass makes you feel more powerful! So next time you dread going to the gym or tackling cleaning the kitchen, stick on a track with some heavy bass. You’ll feel like you can conquer anything.
“Why Do You And The Drummer Always Look At Each Other? Is It an Inside Joke?”
The rhythm section provides, well, rhythm. AKA a pattern of pulses. It’s the beat you stomp your feet or clap your hands to. You might be under the impression that lead guitars have the key task of keeping time. But it’s actually the bass and drums that keep the melodies in time.
Bassists keep in time with the beat of the bass drum, locking in with the groove. Establishing the foundation for the lead guitar and singers to build upon. It’s the connection between them and the rest of the band. So, the drummer and bassist need to be on the same page at all times.
Rhythm gives the song motion. Think about it, you don’t get up to shake your groove thing to the guitarist shredding a solo. It's the rhythm that gets you moving. Those who are hard of hearing are able to enjoy music and dance to the beat because they can feel that rhythm. Especially in songs with a prominent bassline. I mean, Gloria Estefan’s song is called The Rhythm is Gonna Get You. Not The Guitar Solo Is Gonna Get You.
And when it comes to a song's melody, the bass is an unsung hero. Without it, songs would lack structure. Think of it like making a chocolate cream pie. Without the crust, you’ve just got pudding and Cool Whip on a dish. While that’s still delicious, it has no shape, no structure. Just a pile of ingredients with nothing holding them together.
Bass vs Guitar Difficulty
A lot of bassists start out on the guitar. Which, of course, leads to the misconception they switched because the bass is “easier”. In truth, playing the bass is more or less the same as a guitar. The only real differences are the bass has lower tuning and two fewer strings. Other than that, bass and guitar have the same scales and chords. What really sets them apart are the roles these instruments play. It’s not that one is easier than the other, it’s really just a matter of preference.
Let's Review Some Epic Bass Players, Shall We?
Musicians who understand the importance of the bass guitar do tend to respect the value a bassist brings to the table. But surprisingly, most people are often unaware of the importance of bassists. Let’s take a look at some bass players you may not know of.
Motown bassist, James Jamerson, changed the bass. He made it groove more — playing with just one finger. This style, called “the hook” fascinates most bass players. Even now, bassists still struggle to play his bass lines with two fingers, let alone one!
Jazz bassist, Jaco Pastorius, changed the face of the bass completely. His virtuoso. His technique. He not only changed the sound of the bass but the endless possibilities of what the bass could do. Check out his fretless work with Weather Report.
Then there’s rock bassist, Billy Sheehan, and his bag of tricks! Chording, two-handed tapping, "three-finger picking", controlled feedback. And The Who’s John Entwistle had one of the first bass solos in rock music. Just listen to “My Generation”.
Even Queen, for example. Before the film, Bohemian Rhapsody, came out: How many people did you know could name the band in its entirety? (We’re not referring to the true, die-hard Queen fans.) Most folks could name Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, and, um… the other bloke.
“That other bloke” would be the legendary John Deacon. And he wasn’t “just the bass player”. He wrote some of your favorite hits. You’re My Best Friend, I Want To Break Free, Another One Bites The Dust.
There are so many more underappreciated bassists who not only kick(ed) ass at their craft but who were/are amazing songwriters:
Steve Harris
Geddy Lee
John Paul Jones
Geezer Butler
Paul McCartney
Roger Water
While bass might hang out in the background of music. And — most— bassists hang back on stage. Bass is absolutely the most important instrument. It’s the key element and foundation of the structure of your favorite songs. If you’re a bassist, walk tall! You’re not “just a bass player”. And if you’re considering picking up the bass, remember what Uncle Ben said to Peter Parker: “with great power comes great responsibility”. Yes, I just referenced Spider-Man as a profound quote.
And if you’re a fan of music, I hope this gives you some better insight into why bass is important to music. Next time you listen to your favorite song or (finally) get back to a live concert — remember to pay attention to the bass. It deserves the utmost respect.
Are you a bass fan? Who are some of your favorite bass players? Let us know in the comments below.
