Simple Music Dictionary

bass

theory

bayss

The lowest male voice type, or the lowest part in a musical composition.‌​‌​‌​‌​‍​‌​‍​‌​‌​‍​‌​‍​‍​‌​‍​‍​‌​‌​‍​‌​‍​‌​‌​‍​‍​‌​‌​‌​‌​‍​‍​‌

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.

Did you know?

The lowest note ever recorded by a human voice is a G-7 (0.189 Hz) by Tim Storms, far below the range of human hearing — it can only be detected by equipment.

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