How To Improve Your Bassline: All Things Low End

[@امیرزرگرنیا]

I don't know how to thank you. . you're a great help especially for those who can't afford studying music in universities.

[@EarOpener]

Thanks you - we are very very happy to hear from you. The aim of the videos was always to reach those who couldn't access the music education they would ideally want - so it is a great way to end the year to hear you say this. Good luck with your musical adventure. EO

[@LohPro]

the overtone section is very useful, especially when voicing chords. that's why we can "get away" with voicing "clusters" higher up, because the overtones of each note, the higher the cluster is played, are produced at frequencies that exceed normal hearing. the reason those same voicings don't really work at all in the lower bass sections, is because we actually hear more of the overtones produced by the notes that are closer together. simple ratios between notes produce more "good" tones complex ratios between notes produce more "harsh" tones its why 7b9 chords higher up sound awesome & b2 or thirds (and even 4ths) sound harsh when played in the bass

[@EarOpener]

Yes . . . very well put. I'm glad you found it useful - it is quite a difficult thing to describe without getting technical very technical , and it took us a while to get the script (sort of) right . Thanks EO

[@phatato]

I have always been so fond of tenths in the left hand they are so beautiful, probably my favorite sound on the piano

[@EarOpener]

Agree. One of my favourite uses - Devil Woman by Charles Mingus. EO

[@Igorek1989]

In the track 'Hysteria' by Muse, doubling is used to make the bass more audible. Amazing! Thank you very much for your lessons!

[@EarOpener]

Yes, doubling is such an important (and easy!) way of defining the baseline. Good example. EO

[@emmanuelsangacreations]

How is this channel not at a billion subscribers

[@EarOpener]

Thanks, Emmanuel - our thoughts entirely!! Tell your friends . . .EO

[@cocacolby]

Thanks for all the awesome videos! It's strange getting to be the first comment knowing how huge this channel will become.

[@EarOpener]

Really glad you like them - thank you. New one about Chords coming this week. More to follow.

[@uploader8739]

Wow, the "hidden note" on the third section really enlighten me, amazing 👍

[@EarOpener]

Glad it was useful - I recommend using the analyser on DAW eq plug ins - you can see all the 'ghost' frequencies and start to better understand what is actually happening with any particular sound. EO

[@uploader8739]

@@EarOpener great, thanks for the suggestion 😁

[@amonchhetri1053]

just found out about this channel and now i am binging all the series..amazing teaching right here..thank you!

[@EarOpener]

We're very glad you found us! Good luck with your music. EO

[@perfectlycromulent6384]

Practical information that I can apply immediately, brilliantly explained in a pleasant manner. Your format is perfect. I don't have a clue why Ear Opener doesn't have more subscribers. Thank you!

[@EarOpener]

You're making me blush - thanks for your kind comments. Spread the word - and look out for new content coming soon. EO

[@78Point26]

At 7m15s, the fast, muffled passage in the synth bass brought back memories of "Sussudio" by Phil Collins. Heh.

[@XmenPlayTheXbox]

Seriously the best channel I’ve found, so fucking helpful

[@EarOpener]

So glad you found us Moses. Tell your friends . . . EO

[@78Point26]

For some reason, the music at 8m reminds me of some of the background music in the film "Big Trouble in Little China" (1986) by John Carpenter. :)

[@dayusaann6313]

wow thank you !! what y'all are doing is huge!!

[@EarOpener]

Thank you - It is our pleasure EO

[@markradford6856]

Thank you for the clip. I wonder if the multiple notes hidden in the piano Bass Notes are also in a Tuba Bass Note? Enjoying your series as I work on a Concert Band arrangement. Mark in Australia.

[@EarOpener]

Thanks Mark. Not sure I understand the question - I'll see if I can help if you can clarify. EO

[@markradford6856]

G'day EO....To avoid 'muddy' sounding Bass Parts in a Concert Band is the theory that the Part should avoid low pitch semi-quavers? To tie in with your clip it talks about multiple tones in a bass note. I can imagine that with a stringed instrument, Guitar or Piano, but what about a brass instrument? Thank you for answering me.@@EarOpener

[@EarOpener]

Ah I see - good question! Well, as always, it all depends on context - you CAN have fast moving semiquaver basslines, but you will probably find everything else is playing long slow notes, or measures with a lot of rests to create space for the busy bass. In a concert band - it's very very common to have a simple, often repetitive bass, with more florid top line. Think about an oompah band - there is a reason this music worked. If I were you, I'd follow the score of a Mozart wind piece or great Big Band arranger and just watch what the bass instruments do. Good luck! EO

[@Sundji]

What DAW is this? Highlighting the spectrum to listen to the harmonics is such a game changer for me. I'm always wondering "What's that little frequency I'm hearing?".

[@EarOpener]

It's Izotope RX - a brilliant piece of software - but mainly for cleaning and processing audio. It's not a DAW. Thanks! EO

[@AdrianJustRocks]

Hmm no mention of harmonic overtone series 🤔

[@EarOpener]

Yeah, we didn't use the term 'series' - perhaps that was an error - an attempt to use as little jargon as possible and focus on the main issue of the video (bass). But at 3:57 we describe the series and put the words 'partial/ harmonics' on screen, so the curious can look further. If you google this , the top hit is wikipedia's 'harmonic series' page (we checked!). EO

[@PoorTom]

Wait, are those weird harmonics in the high register the cause of the sort of digital weirdness left in the isolated tracks ripped with Izotope's RX music rebalance?

[@EarOpener]

Yes, it probably is. There is so much high frequency information even in very low sounds that RX gets confused when you try to remove things. I still think Music Rebalance is voodoo though - when it works it is amazing, and has got me out of all sorts of trouble . . . EO

[@jeanbeats2062]

what daw is this?

[@EarOpener]

It is Logic X. The bass synth that you see is from Arturia.(the SEM). EO

[@78Point26]

Re: Using tenths instead of thirds at 6m45s: Bass player Bunny Brunel agrees. He says this on page 216 of his book, Mel Bay's Complete Book of Bass Essentials: "...for the bass because, due to its low register, it is better to play only a few notes of the chord with big intervals. For example, C, on the 8th fret of the E string, and E, on the 9th fret of the G string, ... sound very good for a C major or C major 7th."

[@EarOpener]

thanks for all your comments over the channel - you clearly have very broad musical interests! EO

[@DezheMusic]

Explained so well why bass notes need to be sparse

[@EarOpener]

Thanks. But remember, bass doesn't; always need to be sparse if all the other elements make space for it (e.g. Billie Jean - that baseline has a lot of notes!) EO