Episode 1. The Bass Line

The bass guitar is often the "base" of the song, and everything else can be put in its context. This first episode will be an intro to the bass, to help the reader appreciate this deep sonic booming heartbeat that directs the music and gives the vocalist a platform to reach the sky.

#1. A Tribe Called Quest - "Buggin' Out" (1991)


This bass line is unmistakable (it's the only thing you hear at the beginning) and repeats throughout the entire song. However, it is not very easy to follow. Although it is repetitive, it feels like it's never-ending partly because the first and last notes are the same, partly because it sounds like it's resolving in the middle, eliciting a kind of rebellious, uneasy feel. Regarded in the hip-hop community as one of the greatest bass lines, it was played by legendary jazz bassist Ron Carter on a stand-up bass.

#2. James Brown - "The Boss" (1973)


The bass starts out very simply, with three notes repeating. The first note is very low and sounds like the instrument is being (or was) de-tuned (like the guitar is falling out of tune and the pitch is dropping), subtly contributing to the "I don't give a shit" attitude of the song. As the song transitions into the breakdown, Mr. Brown adds some horns, but the real significant change is in the bass, which starts to jump all over the place, adding a lot of energy. We all pay the cost to be some kind of boss. 

#3. Sly & The Family Stone - "If You Want Me To Stay" (1973)


This is some of the funkiest bass of all time, and it's great practice for paying attention to the bass because there's a nice long intro to get accustomed to, and then you can try to keep following it as the other instruments come in. 

#4. Red Hot Chili Peppers - "Soul to Squeeze" (1993)


This is a great example of a song that people find beautiful because of the singing without realizing that the bass is what's actually beautiful and the singing is mediocre. Just kidding, Anthony Kiedis is a good singer (and his nonsensical rapping on this track is genius), but Flea is arguably the greatest pop bassist since Jesus. Chad Smith, the drummer, is also an all-time great, and his playing in this song is exceptional. If you pay attention you'll notice that he adds very subtle detail but also keeps it simple. It's the equivalent of being extremely eloquent. Try to follow the bass the whole way through the song, and you'll find that the bass really is the song. 

The playlist: