👉 Game Audio: The Underrated Role of Audio in Video Games
👉 How to Register and Order on My Film Music Orchestral Page
As far as instruments go, the bass guitar is one of the newest on the scene. It’s a completely unique component of today’s bands and modern music and has been in existence for less than a century. Don’t let the name “bass guitar” deceive you, though, as the bass guitar is not derived from the guitar.
While electric guitars evolved from acoustic guitars , bass guitars were developed from the double bass instrument. They were initially known (and are still sometimes called) electric bass instruments or the electric bass.
The original double bass, or simply the bass, are the large, classical instruments that have been around for several hundred years. They are played with the instrument resting on the ground, using a bow across the strings.
The bass guitar, in contrast, is typically held with a strap on a musician’s body and played using one’s fingers. Rather than the back-and-forth motion of a bow on its predecessor or the strumming with a pick on an electric guitar , the bass guitar is often played with plucking or slapping movements of the fingers.
It is tuned to sound the same as an original bass but with the added benefit of being able to be amplified. In the early part of the 20th century, as music was getting louder, the bass was being drowned out and couldn’t be heard. This led to the quest for an electric bass.
Leo Fender and the Creation of the Bass Guitar
Leo Fender was a brilliant man, a visionary, and one of the most influential figures in modern music history. All of these things and more can describe Leo Fender. However, one thing he is not is the inventor of the bass guitar.
In 1935, Paul Tutmarc created the first incarnation of the electric bass. It was designed to be played horizontally and held like a guitar and could be plugged in for amplification. However, his instrument never really gained popularity. It was in 1951 that the bass guitar began making its mark in modern music.
Leo Fender created his Fender Precision Bass, which was mass-produced and skyrocketed in popularity. Gibson followed soon after, and the bass guitar became an essential part of jazz ensembles and, eventually, most musical styles and bands.
Just as with the electric guitar, Leo Fender capitalized on previous inventions, tweaked them to suit his needs, and mass-produced them to great success. While he should be remembered fondly for his contributions, let’s not forget the original inventor of the electric bass, Paul Tutmarc.
Manuel Marino is a seasoned Senior Producer, Music Composer, and Artist with over a decade of experience. He specializes in branded entertainment across various mediums, including video games, films, and advertising campaigns. With 20+ years as a game music composer, Manuel has worked on numerous platforms, creating diverse orchestral soundtracks. HIRE ME