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8 Unbelievable Fun Facts About Bass That Will Blow Your Mind!

illustration of bass
Get ready to dive into the deep end of knowledge, as we explore some fin-tastic fun facts about bass that are sure to make a splash!

1. Larry Graham: Slap Bass Inventor

Slap me silly and call it funky: Larry Graham, electric bassist of Sly and the Family Stone in the late 1960s, single-handedly invented the slap bass technique, thumb-striking and finger-snapping the strings to create an iconic sound that's resonated across funk, disco, soul, R&B, jazz, country music, rock, and swingin' beehives ever since!
Source => en.wikipedia.org

2. Double Bass: Orchestra's Ele-fiddle

You could call the double bass the 'ele-fiddle' of the orchestra, because it's the largest, lowest-pitched music-making beast around: In reality, this enormous string instrument can be found in various genres like classical, jazz, blues, rock and roll, rockabilly, country music, bluegrass, tango, and folk music, and is played with both a bow and plucking, but never gets invited to the percussion party.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

3. Fender Precision Bass: The Game Changer

In a world where the bass guitar was treated like the guitar's shy little cousin, one singular instrument stepped up to the stage and dropped the low-end like a tidal wave of tone: Enter the Fender Precision bass! The first commercially successful electric bass guitar, conjured up by the one and only Leo Fender in 1951, it boasted a dashing ash body with an alluring blonde finish, a snazzy maple neck, and a mischievous silver spaghetti Fender logo on the headstock. As it fretted its way into the hearts of jazz bassists everywhere, this instrument provided a precise intonation and a powerful voice against big bands and guitarists who dared to double on bass.
Source => metmuseum.org

4. Bass & Drums: Rhythm Section Soulmates

Whoever decided to "bass" in the arms of rhythm and drums surely knew how to make the strings talk and have an audience groove: The bass and drums create the core of a band's rhythm section, establishing the basic pulse, time-feel, and working harmoniously to drive the tempo, while rehearsing with a metronome ensures every band member stays in sync and maintains that foot-tapping beat.
Source => banddirectorstalkshop.com

Paul McCartney's Bass Revolution

5. Paul McCartney's Bass Revolution

While Paul McCartney strummed success as a Beatle and a Wing, he also held the groove on the low end: McCartney is not only a world-class bassist, but he revolutionized the role of the bass guitar in popular music, valuing its technical aspects and its ability to anchor the band, making him one of rock history's most celebrated bassists.
Source => fuelrocks.com

6. Big Mouth Billy Bass: Fish on the Wall

In a fishy twist of fate, the humble ballpoint pen helped inspire one of the most amusing home decor items to grace American walls: Behold, the Big Mouth Billy Bass! The serious reveal: Originally created by Gemmy Industries in 1998, the animatronic singing fish made from latex rubber and plastic is famous for belting out tunes like "Take Me to the River" and "Don't Worry, Be Happy," much to the delight, or dismay, of passing visitors.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

7. Short Scale Bass: Thunderous Titanic

Who needs a bass the size of a Titanic when you can rule the ocean with a compact submarine? Introducing the short scale bass: a favorite not just for beginners but for pro players like Paul McCartney, whose legendary Hofner 500/1 Violin bass gave the Beatles' classics a truly thunderous punch!
Source => stringjoy.com

8. Drop the Bass, Raise the Adrenaline

Is your playlist dropping the bass or dropping the ball? Here's some science to help you party like a "bass" (coincidence, we think not!): Listening to heavy bass music can trigger a release of adrenaline in the blood, leading to feelings of excitement and arousal. Despite not necessarily boosting power or confidence, our brain is wired to pick up on bass sounds faster than high-pitched noises, making bass essential for an impact on listeners. So drop that bass and get your adrenaline pumping!
Source => weraveyou.com

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