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Baß, Bässe

bass

Definition & meaning

Baß is an old spelling of modern German Bass. The spelling with ß was used before the German spelling reform; today, Bass is standard.

The word has several related meanings:

  1. A low male singing voice
    A Baß is the lowest usual male vocal range, lower than a tenor.
    Modern German: der Bass

  2. A low musical part or register
    It can refer to the lowest part of a piece of music, especially the harmonic foundation.
    German: die Bassstimme , die Basslage

  3. A bass instrument
    The word can describe instruments that produce low tones, such as the double bass or bass guitar.
    German: der Kontrabass , der E-Bass

  4. Low-frequency sound
    In audio and acoustics, Bass means the low-frequency range of sound.
    German: die Bässe

Grammar & Word origin

  • Gender: masculine
  • Article: der
  • Modern spelling: der Bass
  • Plural: die Bässe

Baß is an obsolete orthographic form. The letter combination ß was replaced by ss in this word because the vowel before it is short: Bass.

The word ultimately comes from Italian basso “low,” derived from Latin bassus “low, deep.” It is related to the musical term basso used in many European languages.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms

  • Bass — the modern spelling and the closest exact equivalent.
  • Bassstimme — specifically a low singing or instrumental part; more precise than Baß.
  • tiefe Stimme — “low voice”; a descriptive expression rather than a technical musical term.
  • Kontrabass — the double bass; this refers to a particular instrument, not to the general concept of a bass voice or range.

Antonyms

  • Sopran — the highest standard vocal range, especially contrasted with a bass voice.
  • Diskant — a high musical register or part, contrasted with the bass.
  • hohe Stimme — “high voice”; a general descriptive opposite of a low voice.

Common phrases & collocations

  • im Baß singen — to sing bass; in modern spelling: im Bass singen
  • eine tiefe Baßstimme — a deep bass voice
  • der Baß setzt ein — the bass comes in or starts playing
  • Baß spielen — to play bass
  • Baß und Diskant — bass and treble, referring to low and high musical registers

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Examples

Der Baß klingt tief und kraftvoll.other

The bass sounds deep and powerful.

Man hört den Baß deutlich in dem Lied.other

One can hear the bass clearly in the song.

Der Baßspieler übte vor dem Konzert lange.other

The bass player practiced for a long time before the concert.

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