The bass guitar is a beautiful and powerful instrument, but sadly, it is also one of the most overlooked and underrated instruments of all. Many people have little to no idea what the function of the bass is, but most would definitely realise that something is missing if they heard a song without it, which goes to show just how important it is.

It’s safe to say that the bass guitar is the foundation within a band; it is the instrument that brings the other instruments together. Here are some of its main functions:

Keeping time and rhythm
The primary function of a bass guitar is to maintain a steady rhythm, and even though it is a guitar, the bassist works closer to the drummer than the guitarist. This is because the bass, just like the drums, establishes the rhythm of a song and keeps it going, while the guitar and other instruments are typically in charge of the harmony.

Linking the harmony and rhythm
A bassist contributes to a song by adding depth and linking the harmony and rhythm together, contributing to the groove, feel, and style of the music, and completing the overall sound. Experienced and skilful bassists can even get creative and significantly enhance the songs they play by adding fun and memorable bass lines.

Keeping the song going
Every song has a specific set of chords and progressions, and the notes that are played on the bass guitar are played in a rhythmic fashion that help to drive and move the song forward and fill it up. If you heard a song twice over, the second time just without the bass, you would notice that the music sounds empty, damp, and incomplete without it.

Songs to listen to
Whether it’s because you’re still not sure what the bass guitar does, or because you’re intrigued and would love to start learning to play the bass, we thought we’d list a few songs to listen to for inspiration:

– Smooth Criminal / Billie Jean (Michael Jackson)
– Another One Bites the Dust (Queen)
– Come Together (The Beatles)
– Play That Funky Music (Wild Cherry)
– Brown Eyed Girl (Van Morrison)
– Want You Back (Jackson 5)
– Uptown Funk (Bruno Mars)
– Superstition (Stevie Wonder)
– (Don’t) Give Hate a Chance (Jamiroquai)

Interested in starting bass guitar lessons? Get in touch with the School of Popular Music in Guernsey for more information, and be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more awesome tips, tricks, and facts.