der  Bass

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/bas/

🎶 What does "der Bass" mean?

The German word der Bass (plural: die Bässe) has several related meanings, all referring to lowness or depth:

• Musical instrument: It refers to low-pitched string or wind instruments, such as der Kontrabass (double bass) or die Bassgitarre (bass guitar - although the guitar itself is feminine 'die', 'der Bass' often refers generally to the low sound or the instrument in context). Also die Basstuba (bass tuba).
• Singing voice: The lowest male singing voice in a choir or opera. The singer is also called der Bass or der Bassist.
• Acoustics/Audio: The frequency range of low tones, often in the context of speakers or sound systems (e.g., "den Bass aufdrehen" - to turn up the bass).

⚠️ Note: Although instruments like the bass guitar are grammatically feminine ('die Gitarre'), the sound range or function is often referred to as 'der Bass'.

📐 Grammar of "der Bass" in Detail

The noun "Bass" is masculine. Here are the declension tables:

Example Sentences

1. Der Bass in diesem Lied ist sehr dominant. (The bass in this song is very dominant. - Acoustics)
2. Er singt den Bass im Chor. (He sings the bass part in the choir. - Singing voice)
3. Der Klang des Basses erfüllte den Raum. (The sound of the bass filled the room. - Instrument/Acoustics)
4. Sie spielt seit fünf Jahren Bass. (She has been playing bass [guitar/double bass] for five years.)
5. Die tiefen Töne der Bässe bilden das Fundament. (The low notes of the basses [instruments] form the foundation.)

🔊 When and how to use "der Bass"?

"Der Bass" is used almost exclusively in the context of music and acoustics.

• In music: You talk about der Bass as an instrument (Kontrabass, E-Bass), as a voice (Bassstimme), as a musical line (Basslinie), or as part of the harmonic foundation.
• In audio technology: Here, der Bass refers to the low frequency range. You can adjust der Bass on a stereo system or complain about the lack of Bass in headphones.
• Colloquially: Sometimes you hear expressions like "den Bass aufdrehen" meaning to turn up the volume or boost the low frequencies.

Distinction: While der Bass emphasizes depth, words like die Melodie (the melody) or der Rhythmus (the rhythm) describe other musical aspects.

🧠 Memory Aids for "der Bass"

Article Mnemonic: Think of der Mann (the man) with a deep voice. Deep sounds and deep voices are often associated with masculinity in language, just like der Bass.

Meaning Mnemonic: The word "Bass" sounds similar to the English word "base", and the bass often provides the musical base or foundation. Imagine a deep, B-B-B-Bass sound forming the base of the music.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for "der Bass"

🚨 Risk of Confusion:

Though sounding similar, don't confuse with:

• Der Pass (Pässe): Passport or mountain pass.
• Das Fass (Fässer): Barrel or keg.

😂 A Little Joke

DE: Warum haben Bassisten immer kalte Hände?

EN: Why do bass players always have cold hands?

DE: Weil sie immer im Schatten des Gitarristen stehen!

EN: Because they always stand in the guitarist's shadow!

📜 A Short Poem about the Bass

DE:
Tief und rund, ein satter Klang,
Der Bass, er führt den Rhythmus lang.
Mal gezupft, mal sanft gestrichen,
Ist sein Ton nicht zu vergleichen.
Im Orchester, in der Band,
Hält er alles fest in seiner Hand.

EN:
Deep and round, a rich sound's call,
The Bass, it leads the rhythm tall.
Sometimes plucked, sometimes gently bowed,
Its tone unique, highly endowed.
In orchestra, or in the band,
It holds all firmly in its hand.

❓ Riddle Time

DE:
Ich habe Saiten dick und schwer,
mein Ton brummt tief, das mag man sehr.
Im Orchester steh' ich meistens hinten,
doch meinen tiefen Klang wirst du stets finden.
Manchmal sing' ich auch ganz tief im Chor.
Wer bin ich? Sag's mir ins Ohr!

EN:
I have strings both thick and heavy,
my tone hums low, enjoyed by many.
In the orchestra, I stand behind,
but my deep sound you'll always find.
Sometimes I sing low in the choir's lore.
Who am I? Whisper and explore!

Solution: Der Bass (The Bass)

💡 More about "der Bass"

• Word Origin: The word "Bass" comes from the Italian word "basso", meaning "low".
• Compounds: There are many compound words with Bass in German, e.g., der Bassschlüssel (bass clef), die Basslinie (bass line), der Bassverstärker (bass amplifier), der Bassist / die Bassistin (male/female bass player or singer).