Keyboard bass

ARP OdysseyandRhodes PianoBass

Keyboard bass(shortened tokeybassand sometimes referred as asynth bass) is the use of a smaller, low-pitched keyboard with fewer notes than a regular keyboard orpedal keyboardto substitute for the deep notes of abass guitarordouble bassin music.

History

Early keyboard bass

The pipe organ is the first, and the forefather of keyboard bass instruments. The basspedal keyboardwas developed in the 13th century. The keys for the hands are also capable of playing very low pipe tones.

1960s

Rhodes PianoBass (1960)

For keytar-style basses, seeList of keytars.

The earliest keyboard bass instrument was the 1960Fender Rhodespiano bass, pictured to the right. The piano bass was essentially anelectric pianocontaining the same pitch range as the most widely-used notes on an electric bass (or the double bass), which could be used to performbass lines.It could be placed on top of a piano or organ, or mounted on a stand. Keyboard players such asThe Doors'Ray Manzarekplaced hisFender Rhodespiano bass on top of hisVox ContinentalorGibson G-101organ to play bass lines. About the same time,Hohnerof Germany introduced a purely electronic bass keyboard, the Basset, which had a two-octave keyboard and rudimentary controls allowing a choice oftubaor string bass sounds. The Basset was in due course replaced by the Bass 2 and, in the mid-1970s, the Bass 3. All three were transistorized; the Basset was among the earliest solid-state electronic instruments. Similar instruments were produced in Japan under the "Raven" and "Rheem Kee Bass" [sic] names.

1970s and 1980s

Moog Taurus(1976–1981)

See also:Minimoog

In the 1970s, a variant form of keyboard bass,bass pedals,became popular. Bass pedals arepedal keyboardsoperated by musicians using their feet. The guitar players or bass players of bands such asGenesis'Mike Rutherford,Yes'Chris Squire,John Paul JonesofLed Zeppelinduring acoustic sets,Geddy LeeofRush,The Police(bassistSting), orAtomic Rooster(organistVincent Crane) use the bass pedals to play bass lines.Stevie Wonderpioneered the use of synthesizer keyboard bass, notably on "Boogie on Reggae Woman".Funk,R&B,G Rapandhiphopmusicians such asGeorge Clinton & Parliament,Funkadelic,Roger & Zapp,Dr. Dre,E-40,EPMD,andKashifused synth bass.During these decades the keyboard bass in its original form was still in use by some bands such asthe B-52's,who used aKorg SB-100"Synth-Bass".

1990s-present

NovationBassStation (1993)

Since the 1990s,MIDIkeyboard controllers, often smaller 25-note models, have been used by some groups to play bass lines with virtual instruments such assynthesizersandsamplers.Keyboard bass instruments are frequently used inhip hop,contemporary R&B,andpop music,and inelectronic dance musicgenres such ashouse music.MIDI keyboards are used bybedroom producersand studio musicians alike, thanks to their affordability, portability, and the fact that they can be used to control multiple virtual instruments, rather than simply bass. As well, bassists from bands such asNo Doubtsometimes perform bass lines on 25-note MIDI keyboards.Jack WhiteofThe White Stripesuses a vintage Rhodes Piano Bass live, particularly on performances of "My Doorbell".DuringLady Gaga'sThe Monster Ball Tour,keyboardist and bassist Lanar "Kern" Brantley played synth bass on the Roland GAIA andRoland V-Synth.

See also

• Bass pedals
• Pedal keyboard

External links

• Media related toKeyboard bassesat Wikimedia Commons
• Information about early keyboard basses