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Music vocabulary · Melody, Form and Songwriting

Bassline

Meaning in music, with examples

nounCommon term

In music, bassline means: The low-pitched musical part that supports harmony and rhythm, often played by bass guitar, synth, or double bass.

In Turkish: bas çizgisi

How it is used

Used in songwriting, arranging, and production. A bassline may outline chord changes, lock in with the drums, or become the song’s most memorable hook.

Example sentences

  1. The producer simplified the bassline in the verse so the singer's phrasing would stay clear above the kick and snare.

    Here, bassline means the low supporting part of the arrangement, changed to create more space for the lead vocal rhythm.

  2. Even without the chords, everyone recognized the track when the bassist played the opening bassline during soundcheck.

    In this example, the bassline works as a distinctive musical signature that identifies the song by itself.

Common collocations

  • driving bassline
  • bassline pattern
  • opening bassline
  • riffA short, catchy musical phrase that is repeated many times, often on guitar, bass or keyboard, and becomes the signature idea of a song.
  • melodyA sequence of single notes that forms a recognisable musical line, often the part that people remember and sing along to.

More terms: Melody, Form and Songwriting

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