Desarrollo de la grabación del bajo eléctrico en Bogotá

Abstract

This monograph documents and analyzes the development of electric bass recording in Bogotá, Colombia, over the years, taking into account technological, social, and artistic changes up to the present day. A qualitative exploratory method was used, based on interviews conducted with 22 individuals: session bassists and music producers. From these testimonies, a descriptive account was reconstructed, allowing for an understanding of how this instrument has been integrated into Colombian music production from the mid-20th century to the present. The study describes transformations in recording techniques, the adaptation of the bass to traditional Colombian rhythms, international and national influences, the interpretive evolution of bassists, and the impact of technological advances on sound production. It also examines the interaction between bassists, producers, and engineers in the construction of bass lines—whether from written arrangements or through creative freedom during the recording process. A promising future is envisioned for the instrument and its performers in Colombia, as the role of the electric bass is a fundamental part of the country’s musical heritage. The study also proposes a reflection on its future trajectories within the context of contemporary Colombian music.