Many people believe that bass is an easy instrument because it plays simple notes that are often the root note of the current chord. But Bach showed us that alternate bass notes can greatly enhance music by playing the third, firth, and even the seventh chord tone, as shown in THIS music theory exercise. The video below presents a number of short pop music examples that feature the fifth on the bass. Notes on the screen make it clear when this happens, so you can learn to identify this pleasing musical device. You'll probably notice that putting the fifth in the bass often happens on a I chord, after a I - IV chord sequence: I - IV - I/5 - V - I

Also see my free Music Theory video series on YouTube which teaches a complete college-level course in less than three hours.

Ethan Winer has been an audio engineer and professional musician for more than 50 years, and is a principle at RealTraps where he designs acoustic treatment products for recording studios, home theaters, and istening rooms. Ethan's Cello Rondo music video has received nearly 2 Million views on YouTube and other web sites, and his book The Audio Expert published by Focal Press, now in its second edition, is available at amazon.com and his own web site.

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