The Power of the Bass

In this lesson, we’ll do the opposite of what we did last lesson.

We’ll check out three so-called ‘isolated bass tracks’, allowing us to listen to a bass part without any of the other instruments playing. This makes it easier to listen closely to what the bass actually sounds like and what it’s playing. As we’ll hear, the bass has a different sound and plays different parts in different styles and genres.

We’ll start with a bass legend: James Jamerson. Whether you know it or not, you’ve heard James Jamerson before. He play on hundreds of tracks for the Motown record label during the sixties and seventies.

Here’s the isolated bass track for Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On. Listen to the first minute or so (or the full track if you feel like it).

Now, here’s the full track. Try to see if you can pick out the bass guitar!

To feel the impact of the bass, give this version without bass a quick listen as well:

Next, we’ll check out something completely different with a track by Nirvana. The first thing I want you to listen to is the sound of the bass. As you’ll hear, the bass sounds much brighter and is played with a pick, wheras James Jamerson used his fingers, as many bass players do.

Here’s the track.

Totally different sound right?

Now, let’s see what that sounds like in the full band. Also, notice that the bass is playing along with the guitar power chords, basically doubling the riffs of the song.

The goal here it strengthen those riffs, whereas in the Motown track we saw earlier, the bass played around a lot more, filling in the little gaps in the music with quick melodies.

Finally, there’s one more song I want to check out: No One Knows by Queens of the Stone Age. This isn’t a completely isolated bass track, but it also has drums in it.

There’s a few things I’d like you to notice here.

First, listen to how tightly coupled the bass and drums are. Together, they form the backbone of the rhythm section. In particular, notice how very often the drums plays his bass drum (the low sounding drum), the bass will also play a low note. And when the drummer hits his snare drum (the higher sounding one), the bass plays a higher note.

Here’s the track with only bass and drums:

I don’t know about you, but just listening to these two grooving together is already pretty darn cool. No surprise perhaps that this became the band’s biggest hit.

Next, let's listen to the full track. Again, try to listen for the bass and notice what its effect on the song is. What’s also interesting is that in terms of playing fills, the bass part is sort of a middle ground between the first two songs we checked out. It usually sticks to playing along with the guitar, but every now and then it will throw in a little fill.

That’s all for this little tour of bass parts in different genres!