Skip to main content
bass part

bass part

1 6.3
The lowest singing or instrument line that plays deep notes to support the music
  • noun
  • /beɪs pɑrt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : parte de bajo
  • When arranging the song, she focused on writing a strong bass part that would support the melody.
  • melody and bass part

Examples

  • At this point, students are encouraged to add a simple bass part using one of the several possible bass sounds available on the synthesizer.

    Academic text (1995)
  • Sometimes he shows up with a whole song, with two guitar parts and a drum machine, and Evan will write his bass part.

    Blog text (6)
  • From the score, directors can start them off by having them read the bass part.

    Academic text (2000)
  • In church, I also prefer the bass part.

    Blog text (15)
  • A few possess the low notes that are required by a typical bass part.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Every tune has one, and knowing the bass part is the foundation for understanding the harmony of a tune.

    Academic text (1999)
  • In my experience, I have not had middle school boys who were stable basses, or enough of them, to justify music with a bass part.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The secret of harmonic dictation is the ability to isolate and hear the jumpy, inverted melodic line of the bass part.

    Academic text (1993)
  • Middle school students can compose original black-key pentatonic compositions with melody, chords or counter melody, and bass parts.

    Academic text (2001)
  • In the choir, I always sing the bass part to provide the harmonic foundation for our group.

Synonyms

bass
vsbass part
89 4.9

A low male singing voice in a choir or opera

is focused on its role as the harmonic foundation in polyphony
figured bass
vsbass part
  • Specialized
9.9

A bass part with numbers that show which chords a keyboard player should play

is the general lowest part rather than a numbered notated line
thorough bass
vsbass part
  • Specialized
9.9

A bass line written with numbers that show the chords to play

is the broader lowest part, not only the numbered Baroque notation

How Low

bass part
  • Specialized
1 6.3
baritone
22 4.5
alto
5.4

Surface Forms

bass part singular
bass parts plural

Morphology

bass + part

The meaning 'the lowest vocal or instrumental part' is directly and compositionally derived from 'bass' (the lowest voice) + 'part' (a specific vocal or instrumental line). This noun–noun musicological combination follows a transparent, cross-linguistically common pattern, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Bass part uses bass for a very low sound and part for one voice or instrument. Imagine a deep voice or low instrument acting like the musical 'base' that holds up the other notes, so the bass part means the lowest line that gives the music its 'foundation'.