history of bass instruments

[vibrancy]

hello!

who knows when the first bass instrument was invented?
because the first type of music was a kind of a drumming with wooden sticks (like still a lot of nature civilitations do around the fire) and singing for the melody.
so it was drums (rythmn/beat) and vocals (melody/lyrics)
but when did someone come the brilliant idea to fill the empty room with a bass instrument? i dont mean the bass drum from the osman guys. i mean a bass instrument no matter the type (brass, strings..)

sry for my bad english.

greez

[tdub0199]

Leo Fender - 1951 P Bass

[JoZac21]

Short documentary that explains all that and more:http://www.youtube.com/results?searc...orks+bass&aq=0

[Slax]

Here's an interesting quote:

Originally Posted by http://inventors.about.com/od/mstartinventions/tp/musicalinstrument.htm

The "oldest known song" dates back 4,000 years ago and was written in ancient cuneiform. It is not certain how or when the first musical instrument was invented, however, most historians point to early flutes made from animal bones that are at least 37,000 years old.

[BassJunkie13]

Paul Tutmarc invented a bass thats similiar to our modern day bass in the 1930's. He called it a bass fiddle. unlike upright basses that where used back then, the bass fiddle was made to play horizontally, and had frets.

[JTE]

Get a copy of Jim Roberts' "How The Fender Bass Changed The World" because the first two chapters are about the evolution of bass instruments before Leo. The first chapter is "Long Before Leo" and starts with discussion of the double bass going back to the late 1400's.

John

[averagebluesman]

Well the blues guys in the delta used to nail bands into a wall and tune it with a glass bottle.

The jug bass or washtub bass also goes way back.

[fingerbun]

Originally Posted by JoZac21

Short documentary that explains all that and more:http://www.youtube.com/results?searc...orks+bass&aq=0

Cool. Watched the start and well worth watching the whole thing later when I have time.

[ShredderMaximus]

Originally Posted by JoZac21

Short documentary that explains all that and more:http://www.youtube.com/results?searc...orks+bass&aq=0

Wow, I really enjoyed this! Found some techniques I've always used but didn't really think of too much, and some that I hadn't and will be adding to my arsenal! Great series and I think everyone should watch! Thanks again!

[JoZac21]

Glad I could help... sometimes I re-watch this for inspiration.

[vibrancy]

yeah thanks JoZac21! very interesting documentary also about other music topics like ryhtm and melody.
and the organ was very funny