"BASS 3 LEELA" 3-STYLE INSTRUMENTAL SONG FOR ELECTRIC BASS

Abstract

Background and Objectives: The electric bass is a musical instrument that plays a significant role in popular music ensembles and various other types of musical groups, making it highly popular from the past to the present. Learning and practicing the electric bass involves not only practicing instrument-specific skills but also mastering the ability to perform with ensembles across different musical styles, which is equally important. Internationally, many composers have created musical compositions for practicing electric bass skills with popular music ensembles, such as John Patitucci, an American artist and composer who created the Ultimate Play-Along for Bass, featuring compositions in various styles including blues, funk, rock, and reggae, as well as Rockschool, an international music examination and certification organization in the United Kingdom that creates works for skill practice and standardized testing of electric bass performance. However, a search of the Thai-Journal Citation Index (TCI) database via ThaiJO and the Thai Digital Collection found no research or academic publications in Thailand that have created compositions for electric bass performance with popular music ensembles in a skill practice context, although a creative research work with a closely related conceptual framework, namely “Kheun Sai Bunleng for Electric Guitar” by Jetnipith Sungwijit, had already been published. The researcher therefore adapted this framework to the electric bass, creating innovative works and online media for practicing performance skills through the composition of “Bass 3 Leela,” a set of pieces for electric bass performance with a popular music ensemble consisting of electric bass, electric guitar, piano, and drum set, comprising three sub-pieces, each with different musical styles: 1) blues, 2) funk and 3) jazz. This research has two objectives: 1) to create an innovative set of new musical compositions for electric bass performance; and 2) to create online media for practicing electric bass performance skills.

Methods: The research process was divided into eight steps: 1) studying and researching data by collecting information related to popular music composition, including 1.1) studying the three musical styles: blues, funk and jazz, 1.2) studying musical concepts and theories, 1.3) studying electric bass performance techniques, and 1.4) studying related composition works and research; 2) composing the “Bass 3 Leela” composition set; 3) creating sheet music for the compositions; 4) rehearsing the compositions with musicians; 5) recording audio for the original tracks; 6) editing audio for backing tracks; 7) publishing the compositions in online media format; and 8) disseminating the research in academic format.

Results: This research successfully created the “Bass 3 Leela” composition set, consisting of three sub-pieces with a total duration of approximately 16 minutes: 1) Leela Blues, 5:41 minutes long, using a 12-bar blues form, tempo of quarter note = 92, with A as the tonal center, composed with shuffle rhythm; 2) Leela Funk, 3:49 minutes long, using ABAC form, tempo of quarter note = 119, with E as the tonal center, composed with sixteenth-note feel rhythm; and 3) Leela Jazz, 7 minutes long, using ABA form, employing rubato tempo in the introduction and tempo of quarter note = 153 from the main melody to the end in F minor key, composed with straight-eighth rhythm. Regarding musical theory concepts, the composer selected jazz musical forms as the main structural framework for all pieces, composed melodies using various scales and modes appropriate to the progressing chords, and employed modal interchange and modulation theories to enhance harmonic diversity. In terms of performance techniques, the composer incorporated various techniques including alternate plucking, string muting, string raking, ghost notes, string skipping, slides and glissandos, multiple-stops, harmonic notes, hammer-on and pull-off, and tapping. The compositions have been published through YouTube, comprising original tracks, backing tracks, and downloadable PDF sheet music, as well as in academic format.

Conclusions: The research was successfully completed and achieved all research objectives. The “Bass 3 Leela” composition set serves as an innovative work and online media for practicing electric bass performance skills. The composer applied musical theory concepts and electric bass performance techniques appropriately for each style's characteristics, using jazz musical forms as the main structure, selecting appropriate rhythms for each style, and incorporating diverse performance techniques from basic to advanced levels, making the compositions challenging and suitable for skill practice. Publishing the compositions in online media format enables interested individuals to access them conveniently. In addition, this research demonstrates that the conceptual framework can be transferred across instruments with different ensemble roles, provided that it is adapted to suit the role and nature of the target instrument.