http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=64F4C249A2A64340a

This 5-part video series looks at How Bass Works:

Music is usually broken down into melody, rhythm and harmony. But what about the very lowest notes in music, that can have an impact on all three?

In this film, Howard Goodall looks at the abiding fascination musicians and composers have had with the bass.

For half a millennium instrument makers have been trying to construct instruments of all shapes and sizes capable of thudding, sonorous low notes. Only with the arrival of the synthesizer did they succeed in producing a rival to the mighty organ.

With disco, dance, and drum ‘n’ bass, the bass has arrived centre stage. But bass notes have another, crucial role. Far from just plodding away in the background, bass lines can have a critical effect on the whole structure of a piece of music, helping to drive the chord progressions.

Howard looks at the dark horse of the musical family, and its use in the hands of such diverse musical talents as Johann (and Richard) Strauss, John Philip Sousa, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Albinoni, Bach and Motown’s resident bass maestro, James Jamerson.

via dubbhism