Bass ( ; , deep, low) describes
tones of low
frequency or
range from 16-256 Hz (C0 to
middle C4). In musical compositions, these are the lowest parts of the
harmony. In
choral music without instrumental accompaniment, the bass is supplied by adult male
bass singers. In an
orchestra, the
bass lines are played by the
double bass and
cellos,
bassoon and/or
contrabassoon,
low brass such as the
tuba and
bass trombone and the
timpani (kettledrums). In many styles of
traditional music such as
Bluegrass,
folk, and in styles such as
Rockabilly and
jazz, the bass role is filled by the
upright bass. In most
rock and
pop bands and in
jazz fusion groups, the bass role is filled by the
electric bass. In some 20th and 21st century pop genres, such as 1980s pop and
Electronic Dance Music, the bass role may be filled with a
bass synthesizer.