A Short Animation Explaining Why the Bassline is Most Pleasing Part of the Song

Video editor Hadaya Turner of The Verge explains how the brain interprets music, why the bass line is so pleasing and what happens when the beat is off in a short animation that she wrote, directed and drew.

Bass. The lowest part of a harmony in a musical composition. For centuries, we’ve all shared a similar response to low frequency sound, regardless of our particular preference in music. Across cultures and genres, what is it about bass that sends chills to our soul and gives music so much power? We as humans are deeply rooted to rhythm before we are even born. …And if you are wondering why the beat is so important to a song, ask yourself why are bones so important to the body. They’re the structure. The bassline is the foundation that the melody hangs upon.