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 music for the low-pitched instrumental part or line played by a rhythm section instrument such as the electric bass, double bass, 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. 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. Bassline riffs usually emphasize the chord tones of each chord (usually the root note, the third note, the fifth note, and the octave of a chord), 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."

Instruments

Most popular musical ensembles include an instrument capable of playing bass notes. In the 1920s, a tuba was often used. In the 1930s and 1940s, most popular music groups used the double bass as the bass instrument. Starting in the 1960s, the louder, easier-to-transport bass guitar replaced the double bass in most types of popular music, such as rock and roll, blues, and folk. By the 1970s and 1980s, the electric bass was used in most rock bands and jazz fusion groups. The double bass was still used in some types of popular music that recreated styles from the 1940s and 1950s such as jazz (especially swing and bebop), traditional 1950s blues, jump blues, country, and rockabilly.

In some popular music bands, keyboard instruments are used to play the bass line. In organ trios, for example, a Hammond organ player performs the basslines using the organ's pedal keyboard. In some types of popular music, such as hip-hop or house music, the bass lines are played using synthesizers, sequencers, or electro-acoustically modeled samples of bass lines. In electronic music and house music, bass lines are often performed on electronic devices such as the Roland TB-303.

Popular music

In modern popular music, the bassline is generally played by an electric bass guitar player. The bassline bridges the gap between the rhythm part played by the drummer and the melodic and harmonic lines played by the lead and rhythm guitarists. Bass players also perform fills in between the phrases of the vocal melody, and they may also perform bass runs or bass breaks, which are short solo sections. Rhythmic variations by the bass, such as the introduction of a syncopated figure can dramatically change the feel of a song, even for a simple groove.

"In any style, the bass's role in the groove is the same: to keep time and to outline the tonality. When developing bass lines, these two things should always be your goal"

Walking bass

A walking bass is a style of bass accompaniment or line, common in baroque music and jazz, which creates a feeling of regular quarter note movement, akin to the regular alteration of feet while walking. Thus walking basslines generally consisting of unsyncopated notes of equal value, usually quarter notes (known in jazz as a "four feel"). Walking basslines use a mixture of scale tones, arpeggios, chromatic runs, and passing tones to outline the chord progression of a song or tune, often with a melodic shape that alternately rises and falls in pitch over several bars. To add variety to a walking bassline, bassists periodically interpolate various fills, such as playing scale or arpeggio fragments in swung eighth notes, plucking muted percussive grace notes (either one grace note or a "raked" sequence of two or three grace notes), or holding notes for two, three, or four beats. Some songs lend themselves to another type of variation: the pedal point, in which the bassist holds or repeats a single note (often the tonic or the dominant) under the chord changes.

Walking basslines are usually performed on the double bass or the electric bass, but they can also be performed using the low register of a piano, Hammond organ, tuba or other instruments. They can also be sung. While walking bass lines are most commonly associated with jazz and blues, they are also used in rock, rockabilly, ska, R&B;, gospel, latin, country, and many other genres.

Examples

Walking bass in the pedal part of baroque organ music (J.S. Bach's ''Nun komm' der heiden Heiland'', BWV 659, from the Great Eighteen Chorale Preludes):

:

Walking bass often alternates quarter notes:

:

giving rise to the term.

Many boogie-woogie basslines are walking bass lines:

:

Walking bass often moves in stepwise (scalar) motion to successive chord roots, such as often in country music:

:

In this example, the last two quarter notes of the second measure, D and E, "walk" up from the first quarter note in that measure, C, to the first note of the third measure, F (C and F are the roots of the chords in the first through second and third through fourth measures, respectively).

In both cases, "walking" refers both to the steady duple rhythm (one step after the other) and to the strong directional motion created (ibid); in the examples above, from C to F and back in the second, and from root to seventh and back in the first.

Bass run

A bass run (or "bass break") is a short instrumental break or fill in which the bass instrument, such as an electric bass or a double bass (or instruments, in the case of a marching band) and the bassline are given the forefront. The bass part for a bass run often differs from the usual bass accompaniment style, in terms of the register, timbre, or melodic style that is used, or the number of notes per beat which are played.

A bass run may be composed by the performer or by an arranger prior to a performance, or it may be improvised onstage by the performer using scales, arpeggios, and standard licks and riffs. In some cases, a bass run may incorporate a display of virtuoso techniques such as rapid passages or high notes. During a bass run, the main vocal or melody line usually stops, and in some cases, the percussion or drums may also stop. The technique originated in the marches of the "Sousa school", though its resemblance to call and response techniques familiar to African American musicians indicates an earlier origin.

Electric bass

In a rock song in which the bassline consists of low-pitched quarter notes played on the electric bass, a bass run may consist of a rapid sequence of sixteenth notes in a higher register, or of a melodic riff played in a higher register. In some cases, the bassist will select a "brighter"-sounding pickup or increase the treble response of the instrument for a bass run, so that it will be easier to hear.

In a pop song in which the bassline consists of notes plucked on the electric bass, a bass run may consist of several bars of percussive slapping and popping.

In a funk song in which the bassline already consists of percussive slapping and popping, a bass run may consist of a virtuostic display of rapid slapping and popping techniques combined with techniques such as glissando, note-bending, and harmonics.

Double bass

In a jump blues tune in which the bassline consists of low-pitched quarter notes played on the double bass in a scalar walking bass style, a bass run may consist of a bar of swung eighth notes played using a percussive slap bass style, in which the right hand strikes the strings against the fingerboard.

In a swing tune in which the bassline consists of low-pitched quarter notes played on the double bass in a scalar walking bass style, a bass run may consist of a descending chromatic scale played in a higher register.

In a bluegrass tune in which the bassline consists of low-pitched quarter notes played on the double bass on the root and fifth of each chord on beats one and three (of a 4/4 tune), a bass run may consist of a walking bass line played for several bars.

Wind bass

In a marching band context, a bass run may consist of a several bar unaccompanied passage composed for the tubas and sousaphones which displays either rapid passages of notes or higher-register techniques. In New orleans jazz, the tuba may provide a walking bass line similar to that of the double bass.

See also

Ground bass

Lament bass

Electric bass

Double bass

Tuba

Drum and bass

*

Notes

References

External links

- 244 million bass lines in F

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sttpeVdSYTs An audio/video example of a walking bass line played on electric bass guitar, created specifically to accompany this Wikipedia entry (GFDL/Creative Commons) by Dave Muscato, session bassist, for information purposes only.

Bassline News

Bass guitar

Category:Bass (sound)

cs:Basová linka de:Basslinie es:Línea de bajo eo:Baslinio pt:Linha do baixo sv:Basgång

name	DJ Fresh
Birth date	April 11, 1977
background	non_vocal_instrumentalist
birth name	Daniel Stein
alias	DJ Fresh, Fresh, Mosquito, Absolute Zero
origin	England
genre	Drum and bass, Dubstep
occupation	Record producer, DJ, Musician
years active	1996–present
label	Breakbeat Kaos, Data Records, Ram Records, V Records, Valve Recordings
associated acts	Bad Company UK, Pendulum, Tenor Fly, $pyda, Adam F, Andy C, Deekline & Wizard, Ivory, Soundweapon, Stamina MC, Koko, Ce'Cile, Sigma, DJ Shadow, DJ Hype, Darrison, Mary Byker, Baron, Swift, Valkyrie, Sian Evans, Rita Ora. }}

DJ Fresh (real name Daniel Stein) is an English Drum & Bass and Dubstep producer and DJ. He was one of the principal members of drum & bass supergroup, Bad Company, alongside Darren White (dBridge), Jason Maldini, and Michael Wojcicki (Vegas). He also owns and runs the pioneering drum & bass label Breakbeat Kaos with Adam F.

Career

Early success and 'Escape from Planet Monday' (1998 - 2008)

Along with the three other members of Bad Company, Fresh founded the record label BC Recordings, as well as the website Dogs On Acid. Bad Company are heralded as one of the finest drum & bass acts ever, having produced numerous genre-defining tracks. Undoubtedly their most renowned track is "The Nine", a track released in 1998 when Fresh was just 21 years old. "The Nine" was later voted the greatest drum & bass track of all time by readers of Knowledge Magazine

Resuming his solo career in 2002, Fresh founded Breakbeat Punk, which merged with Adam F's Kaos Recordings to become Breakbeat Kaos in 2003. In 2004 ''Dogs on Acid'' was given its own imprint.

Fresh has worked with artists ranging from Pet Shop Boys, DJ Shadow, Apollo 440 to Andy C and Grooverider, and has also held a working relationship with the drum and bass trio Pendulum, whom he signed to Breakbeat Kaos in 2005.

Fresh has had his own tracks included on a number of remix CDs, including the 2006 release ''Jungle Sound: The Bassline Strikes Back!'', Andy C's ''Nightlife'' series, DJ Hype's ''Drum and Bass Warfare'', and Goldie's ''Drum and Bass Classics''.

In 2006, Fresh released his first studio album, ''Escape from Planet Monday'', featuring "The Immortal", "X Project", "Nervous" and "All that Jazz" on Breakbeat Kaos.

A 100% Pure Mix of X Project was featured in the video games ''Wipeout Pulse'' (2007) and ''Wipeout HD'' (2008).

'Kryptonite' and commercial success (2009 - 2011)

In 2009 Fresh released a 12" of "Heavyweight" (with Fantasia on the B side) on the Digital Soundboy label. "Heavyweight" had a different style from Fresh's usual output, and gained positive reviews and a general positive response through the underground scene and within various radio stations. Fresh subsequently released "Hypercaine" (including a remix from Nero) in September 2009, and made BBC Radio 1's daytime playlist.

On the 1 August 2010, he re-released his song Gold Dust Featuring vocals from Ce'Cile, Where it peaked 24 in the UK and 39 in Ireland, it marked his first Top 40 hit in both countries. Drum & Bass producer Finka remixed Super Gold Dust, The Goldest Dust In Gold Dust in early 2011. On 16 August, he released his second studio album, "Kryptonite" where it peaked 4 on the UK Dance Chart.

He then released his follow-up single, called "Lassitude" with Sigma and Vocals from Koko. It managed to peak 98 on the UK Singles Chart and 11 on the UK Dance Chart.

Third album, tour and continued commercial success (2011)

The first single from his Third Album, "Louder" was released on July 3, 2011. The song was used as part of a Lucozade Lite advertising campaign in the UK and Ireland. The song features vocals from Welsh singer Sian Evans from the band Kosheen, it peaked number 4 on the Irish Singles Chart and Number 1 on the UK Singles Chart. It marked his first top five hit in both countries and first to reach number 1. On February 12, 2012 the second single "Hot Right Now" featuring British/Albanian singer Rita Ora which became his second number one in the UK and the first Drum & Bass song to chart #1 in the UK.

His third album is due for release in September 2012.

In late 2011, DJ Fresh began a new aspect of his career by launching 'FRESH/LIVE'. This live show incorporates a drummer, guitarist, vocalist, an MC and Fresh himself on keys to perform identical renditions of his studio-produced hits in live settings, similar to Pendulum and Chase & Status.

Fresh handpicked the musicians that made up the band, calling on people he had encountered at various stages of his career. On the drums was Kodish, a man with over ten years experience as a drummer in the drum & bass scene, having performed with such eminent acts as Moving Fusion, Bad Company, and Pendulum. Guitarist Richard de Rosa founded the Ska/Swing band Scubaroots, with whom he has performed to thousands of people at countless festivals. Seemingly a master of all trades, he also produced the band's album, was nominated for producer of the year at the 2011 South West Music Awards, and had previously performed on BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge with Example and Fresh. Vocalist Fleur exploded onto the scene after performing on X Factor to 9 million TV viewers in 2005 and had also previously performed with Fresh on Live Lounge, and with Ms Dynamite on 1Xtra. The MC comes in the form of Drum and Bass' rising star Messy MC, who has previously performed and toured extensively with Pendulum, The EZ Rollers, Nero, Camo and Crooked and the Hospital Records tour nights Hospitality. He also received the Award for Best Newcomer MC in 2010 at the DNBA Awards and was then subsequently nominated in 2011 for Best MC.

The UK-wide tour completely sold out, taking in seven prestigious venues: The Arches in Glasgow, Alexandra Palace in London, The Big Reunion in Skegness, Manchester Club Academy, Waterfront in Norwich, Concorde 2 in Brighton, and the Student Union in Leeds. FRESH/LIVE is set to return in Spring 2012.

Discography

''Escape from Planet Monday'' (2006)

''Kryptonite'' (2010)

''Third Studio Album'' (2012)

See also

Breakbeat Kaos

Drum and bass

Dogs On Acid

Dubstep

Jungle

Pendulum

References

External links

Category:Living people Category:1977 births Category:People from Worthing Category:English drum and bass musicians Category:English DJs Category:English Jews

be-x-old:Fresh de:DJ Fresh it:DJ Fresh nl:DJ Fresh ru:DJ Fresh sk:DJ Fresh

name	Sian Evans
background	solo_singer
birth date	October 09, 1973
origin	Welsh / British
genre	Trip hop, Drum and bass, Rock, Synthpop
years active	1999–present
associated acts	Kosheen, DJ Fresh
notable instruments	}}

Sian Evans is a Welsh singer/songwriter from Caerphilly, United Kingdom, born October 9, 1973. She is also a member of the band Kosheen where she has found major success across Europe.

Career

Sian was invited to sing on songs written by Markee Substance and Darren Decoder in 1998 and Kosheen was formed. She has also done other work with Simon Kingman and played live at Glastonbury 2008.

In 2011, she featured on DJ Fresh's song, "Louder", which was used as part of a Lucozade Lite advertising campaign in the UK and Ireland. The song was released on the July 3, 2011. It debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart, Download Chart, UK Dance Chart, UK Indie Chart and the Scottish Charts with first week sales of 140,000 copies. It also peaked number four on the Irish Singles Chart based on UK success.

Evans also appears on several tracks on Roger Shah's artist album Openminded!?. A new version of "Hide U" along with two other original tracks "In The Light" and "Shine" all appear on the album.

Discography

With Kosheen

As a featured artist

— 1

rowspan="2"	Year	Song	Chart positions							Album
!style="width:4em;font-size:85%;"				!style="width:4em;font-size:85%;"	!style="width:4em;font-size:85%;"	!style="width:4em;font-size:85%;"	!style="width:4em;font-size:85%;"	!style="width:4em;font-size:85%;"	!style="width:4em;font-size:85%;"
	2010	align="left"	"Your Move" (With Martin Eyerer)	—	|	—	98	—	—	—	rowspan="2"	''Non-album single''
	2011	align="left"	"Louder" (With DJ Fresh)	1	|	1	5	43	4	1

References

External links

Interview with Sian

Category:1973 births Category:Living people

de:Sian Evans