The bass plays the roots
The lowest part, and the note each chord is built on.
Lesson 1 of 4
This grid sits two octaves lower, in the bass. Above it a keyboard plays I – V – vi – IV, and the bass plays the root of each chord: the note the chord is built on.
Roots under the chords
Change the key: the bass and the chords move together.
| 1C4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7B3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6A3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5G3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4F3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3E3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2D3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1C3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 7B2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6A2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5G2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4F2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3E2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2D2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1C2 |
The bass connects the drums to the harmony. It plays in time with the kick and tells the ear which chord is sounding, which is why a song can feel empty without it.
Bass notes are low and long-wavelength, so they are felt as much as heard. Keep bass lines simple at first: one or two notes per bar already work.