bass guitar
A four-stringed electric instrument that provides the rhythmic and harmonic foundation in popular music.
In Depth
The bass guitar (or electric bass) was developed in the 1950s as a louder, more portable alternative to the upright double bass. It is tuned like the bottom four strings of a guitar (E-A-D-G) but one octave lower. The standard bass has four strings, though five-string (with a low B) and six-string basses exist. Leo Fender's Precision Bass (1951) was the first commercially successful electric bass and revolutionised popular music. The bass guitar provides the crucial link between rhythm and harmony — the bassist locks in with the drummer while outlining the chord changes. James Jamerson (Motown), Jaco Pastorius (jazz), and Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers) are among the most influential bassists.
James Jamerson played on more number-one hits than any other musician — his Motown bass lines underpin songs by the Supremes, Temptations, Stevie Wonder, and Marvin Gaye.