| The bass guitar has been derived from the double | | | | graphite. A wide range of finishing is applied to |
| bass, which was used in the late 1950's. Having 4 | | | | make it look good. IT can be colored or simply |
| strings, these instruments add the lower tones to | | | | clear white. The work done on the body is fine |
| a musical performance. Experimentation with the | | | | engineering and delicate balances have to be |
| bass had started as early as the 1920's. It wasn't | | | | maintained. |
| until the 50's however, that a proper bass | | | | A hot debate rages on what to call this |
| instrument was formed. | | | | instrument. For non musicians, the term bass |
| In the mid 20th century jazz became popular. As | | | | guitar is common, while hard core players like to |
| double bass's were used those days, they were | | | | call it electric bass or simple electric bass. Slowly |
| often not heard due to the lack of amplification. | | | | but surely however, this instrument has gathered |
| The drums, banjos and other instruments in the | | | | a large following which likes to use its own jargon. |
| band drowned out the sound of the bass. Until the | | | | The electric bass is a part of modern country |
| 1950 when the first electric bass came into | | | | music, post 1970 jazz and funk. Used mainly to |
| existence with modern amplification techniques. | | | | provide backing, it adds a depth to the music. This |
| The bass guitar is played like all guitars with the | | | | instrument has added a whole new color to our |
| player holding it close to his body in a horizontal | | | | musical pleasure. In sole music particularly, the |
| position. The strings are plucked with hand or with | | | | bass guitar is effective. |
| the plectrum. In the 1970's, the slapping technique | | | | Are sound effects used? Well, yes and no. As the |
| became popular. | | | | bass guitar sets the tone for the rest of the |
| Today, the bass guitar ranges from 4 strings up | | | | band, sound effects are not often used, unlike |
| to 11 strings. The 5, 6 and 7 strings providing the | | | | electric guitars. Modern bands however have |
| mid range while the 11 string starts from a lower | | | | started experimenting with distortion units to add |
| than human hearing going up to a very high | | | | a new flavor to the bass and low key that they |
| active. Electric bass guitar players use various | | | | provide behind the music. |
| configurations. These changes are made by using | | | | As we go into a new century, electric bass's |
| preamplifiers and speaker sets. Signal processors | | | | become more and more popular. All bands use it |
| are also varied to provide new soundscapes. | | | | today to add a subtle background. Many groups |
| In night clubs, combo amplifiers are used. These | | | | like U2 even use it to give a haunted feeling |
| amplifiers are fixed with single loud speakers to | | | | increasing emotional attachment with the music. |
| make them portable and effective. | | | | Newer techniques have made this instrument a |
| The body of the instrument can be of wood or | | | | crucial part of any musical group today. |