How are bass lines and riffs created in EDM?

How are bass lines and riffs created in EDM?

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. In this lesson, we will explore the role of basslines and bass riffs in EDM. We will learn how to create our own bass lines and how to add interest.

Licence

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8 Questions

Q1.
What is a chord?
Everyone singing / playing the same pitch at the same time
One pitch being played only
Correct answer: Two or more pitches being played at the same time
Q2.
Which of these best describes a major triad?
Root note (I), II, V
Correct answer: Root note (I), III, V
Root note (I), IV, V
Q3.
Which of these best describes a minor triad?
Correct answer: Root note (I), flattened 3rd, V
Root note (I), III, V
Root note (I), sharpened 3rd, V
Q4.
Which of these does NOT describe 'harmonic rhythm'?
Correct answer: How we articulate (play) the chords
The duration of chords within a chord progression
The rate at which the chords change
Q5.
What is a chord 'inversion'?
Adding a root in the bass
Always playing C first
Correct answer: When you rearrange the three pitches of the chord
Q6.
Which of these is a C major root position triad?
Correct answer: CEG
EGC
GCE
Q7.
Which of these is a C major 1st inversion triad?
CEG
Correct answer: EGC
GCE
Q8.
Which of these is a C major 2nd inversion triad?
CEG
EGC
Correct answer: GCE

10 Questions

Q1.
What is a chord?
Everyone singing / playing the same pitch at the same time
One pitch being played only
Correct answer: Two or more pitches being played at the same time
Q2.
What is a chord sequence?
A pattern of notes
Correct answer: A set of chords
A set of melodies
Q3.
What is a bass line?
A low chord
A low melody
Correct answer: The lowest part
Q4.
What is a bass riff?
A chord in the bass
Correct answer: A short repeated phrase in popular music.
A short repeated phrase in the bass
Q5.
What is a root note bass line?
A bass line using the 1st pitch from the chords
A bass line using the 3rds from the chords
Correct answer: A bass line using the 5ths from the chords
Q6.
What would a root note bass line be in this chord sequence? Dm, Am, C, F
Correct answer: D, A, C, F
F, A, E, A
F, D, E, C
Q7.
How can you add interest to a root note bass line?
Change the instruments
Correct answer: Change the rhythm
Make it faster
Q8.
How could you change the melodic shape of a bass line?
Adding chords
Correct answer: Adding passing notes
Adding the main riff
Q9.
What is a passing note?
A note between two other pitches
A repeated note
Correct answer: An added note
Q10.
What does sustained mean?
Correct answer: Held on
Loud
Repeated

Lesson appears in

UnitMusic / Using technology musically: EDM