Bass note

In music theory, the bass note of a chord or sonority is the lowest note played or notated.

If there are multiple voices it is the note played or notated in the lowest voice (the note furthest in the bass.)

Three situations are possible: In pre-tonal theory (Early music), root notes were not considered and thus the bass was the most defining note of a sonority.

In pandiatonic chords the bass often does not determine the chord, as is always the case with a nonharmonic bass.

This music theory article is a stub.

Bass note, described in picture, of a C major triad Play ⓘ . The bass note of the triad is also the root of the triad in this scenario; but this is not always the case with triads, such as in the case of inverted triads.
A ♭ /A (alternately notated as A Major ♭ /A bass) notated in regular notation (on top) and tabulature (below) Play ⓘ .
Examples with bass note in red: C major chord in root position close position (C), open position (C), first inversion (E), second inversion (G), and cluster on C (C). Play ⓘ
Root notes and bass notes in an 18th century Chorale (bass notes are red, roots are blue, and bass notes which are also roots are purple) Play ⓘ