bass guitar: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Informal, technical (music), everyday
Quick answer
What does “bass guitar” mean?
A stringed musical instrument, typically electric, tuned one octave lower than a standard guitar and producing low-pitched tones.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A stringed musical instrument, typically electric, tuned one octave lower than a standard guitar and producing low-pitched tones.
An electric bass instrument, often four-stringed, serving as the rhythmic and harmonic foundation in many popular music ensembles; also refers to the musical role or the musician who plays the instrument.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling is identical. Pronunciation of 'bass' differs between UK (rhymes with 'base') and US (also rhymes with 'base'). Usage and terminology are largely the same.
Connotations
No significant difference. In both, the instrument is associated with rock, pop, funk, and jazz.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English due to the prominence of guitar-based popular music genres.
Grammar
How to Use “bass guitar” in a Sentence
play + bass guitarstrum + bass guitartune + the bass guitarperform on + the bass guitarhear + the bass guitarVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bass guitar” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They needed someone to bass for their new track.
- He's been bassing in local pubs for years.
American English
- She's going to bass on our next album.
- He bassed on that classic funk record.
adjective
British English
- He has a distinctive bass-guitar tone.
- The bass-guitar part is quite complex.
American English
- That's a killer bass-guitar riff.
- Her bass-guitar technique is impressive.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In retail: 'The bass guitar sales increased by 15% this quarter.'
Academic
In musicology: 'The evolution of the bass guitar in 20th-century popular music marked a shift from acoustic to electric rhythm sections.'
Everyday
'My brother is learning to play the bass guitar in his garage band.'
Technical
'The active pickups on this five-string bass guitar provide a wider frequency response and lower noise floor.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bass guitar”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bass guitar”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bass guitar”
- Pronouncing 'bass' like the fish (/'bæs/). Incorrect: *'He plays the /bæs/ guitar.' Correct: 'He plays the /beɪs/ guitar.'
- Using it as a verb: *'He bass guitars in a band.' Correct: 'He plays bass guitar in a band.'
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A bass guitar typically has four strings (vs. six), is tuned one octave lower, has a longer neck (scale length), and plays a different role (rhythm/foundation vs. melody/chords).
The word 'bass' refers to the low-pitched (bass) frequency range of the instrument's sound, distinguishing it from higher-pitched guitars.
Yes, but it is less common than playing single notes or double stops. Full chords can sound muddy due to the low frequencies, so bassists often outline chords arpeggically.
The primary differences are pitch (bass is lower), number of strings (typically 4 vs. 6), string thickness, neck length, and musical function. Bass amps and speakers are also designed to handle lower frequencies.
A stringed musical instrument, typically electric, tuned one octave lower than a standard guitar and producing low-pitched tones.
Bass guitar is usually informal, technical (music), everyday in register.
Bass guitar: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbeɪs ɡɪˈtɑː(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbeɪs ɡɪˈtɑːr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Hold down the fort (like a bass guitar holds down the rhythm)”
- “Lay down the groove”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'BASS' sounds like 'BASE' – the bass guitar provides the BASE or foundation for the music, just like a BASEball player covers the BASE.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BASS GUITAR IS THE FOUNDATION (of a musical piece). / THE BASS GUITARIST IS THE ANCHOR (of the band).
Practice
Quiz
What is the standard tuning for a four-string bass guitar?