Medical Mysteries of Music

Science says that the most important member of a band is…

The singer, right? Okay, then, it’s gotta be the guitarist. No? The drummer! I knew it! Wait–it’s…the bass player? Yep. And it’s science, too.

An article in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the bassist is who holds a band together. You can read it all if you want–warning: It’s very science-y–but it all comes down to this:

 “A behavioral motor task revealed that tapping synchronization was more influenced by the lower-pitched stream.” And “The low-voice superiority effect for encoding timing explains the widespread musical practice of carrying rhythm in bass-ranged instruments”.

Translation: People find it easier to figure out the rhythm of a song when it comes from the bassline. It gets more people getting people to bop along because they are “rhythmically pleased.”

That explains this Breeders‘ song, doesn’t it?

(Via Tone Deaf)

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

Alan Cross has 37969 posts and counting. See all posts by Alan Cross

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