Everything about Bass Run totally explained
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's 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.
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'll 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.
Low brass
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.
History
The technique seems to have 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. (van der Merwe 1989, p.283)
Further Information
Get more info on 'Bass Run'.
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