The word bass referring to a musical instrument that plays low notes is related to words in Romance languages (French, Italian, Latin) meaning “bottom” or “low.” The name of the fish bass is of Germanic origin instead, and has nothing to do with Latin. Other than the same spelling, there is no relationship at all.
Why is a bass called a bass?
The term encompasses both freshwater and marine species, all belonging to the large order Perciformes, or perch-like fishes. The word bass comes from Middle English bars, meaning ‘perch’.
Where does the word bass come from?
From Middle English bace, bas, alteration of bars, from Old English bærs (“a fish, perch”), from Proto-West Germanic *bars, from Proto-Germanic *barsaz (“perch”, literally “prickly”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰórsos (“prickle, thorn, scale”). Cognate with Dutch baars (“perch, bass”), German Barsch (“perch”).
Why is base spelled bass in music?
basson, comparative of bathys “deep.” So bass in the musical sense has its origins in base, and the current spelling is influenced by the Italian basso. In other words, the spelling changed out from under the pronunciation.
What does bass mean?
The word bass has two main meanings with separate pronunciations — bass with a high vowel sound (like base) ironically refers to very low sounds — bass instruments and singers are in the lowest part of the musical range, like the low rumble of a bass guitar. If you say bass with a low vowel sound, it’s a type of fish.
Which came first bass or bass?
They developed independently, one (the fish) from Germanic and one (the deep sound) from Latin. Their similar spellings in modern English are merely coincidental. The fishy “bass” (rhymes with “grass”) arrived much earlier than the musical “bass” (rhymes with “grace”), so we’ll discuss the fish first.
Why is bass not base?
Base comes from the Latin word basis which means foundation and the Greek word basis which means step, pedestal. Bass, when pronounced as base, means the lowest pitch, an adult male who sings in the lowest pitch, any number of instruments that play the lowest pitch.
Is a peacock bass actually a bass?
As it happens, neither of these sport fish is an actually “bass.” And, as it happens, there are at least three species of fish, and perhaps more, that are called “peacock bass,” but which are actually distinct species.
When was the word bass invented?
1500, from bass (adj.) or the cognate noun in Italian. The meaning “singer having a bass voice” is from 1590s. The meaning “bass-viol” is from 1702; that of “double-bass” is from 1927.
What is the difference between bass and bass?
The preferred plural form of bass is bass, though basses is seen occasionally. Bass (base) is used as a noun or an adjective and means the lowest in pitch, deepest sound-producing voice or instrument. Examples of such instruments are the bass guitar, a bass drum, and a bass horn.
Is guitar a bass or base?
Generally speaking, Use bass for musical contexts. Use base for all other contexts (except fish).
What does bass mean in music?
Bass (/beɪs/ BAYSS) (also called bottom end) describes tones of low (also called “deep”) frequency, pitch and range from 16 to 256 Hz (C to middle C4) and bass instruments that produce tones in the low-pitched range C2-C4. They belong to different families of instruments and can cover a wide range of musical roles.
How do British people say vase?
If you’re like most Canadians or some Americans, you’ll say vāz. But if you’re British or like some Canadians or even a few Americans, you’ll say väz. Vās, vāz, väz.
What is another name for bass?
What is another word for bass?
| deep | low |
|---|---|
| throaty | baritone |
| booming | low-voiced |
| resounding | rumbling |
| rich | alto |
Is bass easier than guitar?
Playing the bass requires a different knowledge base and skill set, so to speak. So no, the bass isn’t necessarily easier to play than the electric guitar. If you can’t play the guitar, then just play bass. This is somewhat connected to the myth above.
Can you eat bass?
Bass are some of the most delicious freshwater gamefish in North America. Be it largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, or the highly prized black sea bass, they are in demand. People can’t seem to get enough of the tender texture and delicious white meat. The thing about bass is they don’t all taste the same.
Why does a bass have 4 strings?
The bass guitar itself is an even less complicated instrument; it has frets to aid in finding the correct pitch, it has only four strings and they are large and hard to miss. Thus we can say that the bass guitar has four strings because it’s one for each brain cell of the bass player.
Is a cello a bass?
One of the main differences between the cello and the double bass is its tuning. A cello is typically tuned in 5ths from low to high (C, G, D, and A). Basses are turned in 4ths (E, A, D, and G), with the low E being lower than the cello C.
Who invented bass?
Bass guitarInventor
Is bass pronounced bass or base?
Because language is wonderfully insane 🙂 The musical term “bass” is not only pronounced like “base”, but also it means “base” (as in “low”), and indeed is essentially the same word. Both of these “base” words originated with the Greek word βάσις (“basis”).
What is the homophone of bass?
base
The word ‘bass,’ as in ‘Roger played the bass clarinet,’ is a homophone for the word ‘base. ‘ Both of these words sound alike, are spelled differently, and have different meanings. ‘Bass’ is also a homograph.