rhizoverbBeta
DictionarybassLow musical range
noun / adjective

bass

BAYSS/beɪs/

The lowest register of musical sound.

The musician draws deep bass notes from the instrument's low strings.

Large double bass player bowing low strings, long low sound-wave curves, clear instrument proportions.
Etymology
bassLatinshort, low

The idea of being physically low shifted to being low in pitch. In music, bass came to name the lowest part of a harmonized composition and the voice that sings it.

In context

Acoustic Geometry0:16
in recording studios home theaters and stereo rooms bass works differently than the mid and high frequencies above 200 hertz
How BASS Works (In Rooms) - Acoustic Geometry

More examples

  • She plays electric bass in a jazz quartet.
  • The recording has a strong bass line.
  • Two double basses stand behind the cellos.

Forms

bass · basses

Similar words

low
The broader pitch description rather than a musical register or instrument.
baritone
A register generally above bass rather than the lowest range.