Bass is the reference point at any time.
As in physics we may have 0 degrees Celcius (when water freezes at 1 atmosphere pressure) as a reference for temperature. Actually the scientific reference is -273 degrees, called absolute zero.
As on year dates we have as reference annum 0 the birth of Jesus Christ.
As in electronic engineering we refer voltage to usually ground which we assume it is 0 volts.
Bass may change all the time but at each instant it helps us define harmony (a chord).
Melody also refers to bass.
Examples:
Any major or minor chord is defined as code 1 3 5 from bass. C major is C E G, C minor is C Eb G, D minor is D F A, G major is G B D, C# major is C# E# G# etc.
When a high part plays B and bass plays A as in the beginning of Just Hold Me - Maria Mena, this defines a musical interval of 9th as B is 9 note scale steps away from the reference bass A.
Reference:
http://normanschmidt.net/scores/bachjs-general_bass_rules.pdf
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