The Power of the Low End: How Bass Shaped Modern Music

The role of bass in music has come a long way — and as a bassist myself, I've experienced this evolution firsthand. What started as a supporting element has become a driving force across genres.

In the early days of jazz and classical music, the double bass provided rhythmic and harmonic grounding. Then came the 1960s and 70s — a golden era for bass — with legends like James Jamerson and Carol Kaye crafting melodic, groove-heavy lines that reshaped pop and R&B. I remember studying Jamerson’s iconic Motown grooves, amazed at how his syncopation and phrasing turned simple lines into timeless hooks.

Fast-forward to today, and bass isn't just holding down the low end — it's leading the charge. In funk, slap bass pioneered by Larry Graham added rhythmic punch, while rock and punk saw aggressive, distorted tones from players like John Entwistle and Geddy Lee. In electronic music, sub-bass frequencies create visceral, physical responses — those deep wobbles in dubstep or the driving pulses in house music.

As a composer, I've explored the versatility of bass across my albums, blending influences from jazz, fusion, and world music. Bass isn’t just a foundation in my music — it’s a melodic and rhythmic centrepiece, guiding the mood and feel of each track. If you’d like to explore how bass shapes my sound, you can check out my discography here.

Bass isn’t just sound — it’s a feeling, a connection between the player and the listener. That deep vibration you feel in your chest at a concert? That’s the bass speaking directly to you.

Thanks for being part of this musical journey. Let the low end guide you!

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