bass

The bass voice is the lowest of the standard voice types, typically ranging from E2 to E4. Bass singers provide the harmonic foundation in choral music and are often cast as authority figures in opera — kings, priests, fathers, and gods. There are several sub-categories: basso profondo (the deepest), basso cantante (a more lyrical bass), and bass-baritone (bridging the two ranges). The bass clef, also called the F clef, is named for this voice range and is used for lower-pitched instruments like cello, bassoon, and trombone.