How is a ground bass related to chords?
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Key learning points
- In this lesson, we will deepen our knowledge of the role of the basso continuo in Baroque music. We will explore how the ground bass and chords are related to one another, and learn how to play the chords of Pachelbel's Canon in a way stylistic to the Baroque period. We will then explore how to be the whole basso continuo in a virtual Baroque ensemble!
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This content is made available by Oak National Academy Limited and its partners and licensed under Oak’s terms & conditions (Collection 1), except where otherwise stated.
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10 Questions
Q1.
What does melody mean?
The highest part
The lowest part
Q2.
What does accompaniment mean?
A melody in the bass line
The main melody in a piece of music
Q3.
What is a ground bass?
A bass viol and harpsichord
A melody that repeats over and over again
Q4.
How long are the notes in the ground bass in Pachelbel's canon?
1 beat - crotchets
½ beat - quavers
Q5.
What is the basso continuo?
The chords and melody in Baroque music
The ground bass and melody in Baroque music
Q6.
Who plays the basso continuo?
Harpsichord and violin
Violin and cello/bass viol
Q7.
What part of the basso continuo does the cello/bass viol play?
Chords
Melody
Q8.
What is the bass clef used for?
High pitches above middle C
Notes in the middle of the piano
Q9.
What are the notes in the spaces in the bass clef?
FACE
GBDFA
Q10.
What are the notes on the lines in the bass clef?
ACEG
EGBDF
10 Questions
Q1.
What is a triad?
A three sided note
Three notes next to each other: 1, 2, 3
Q2.
What are the primary triads?
I, iii, V (1, 3, 5)
ii, iii, vi (2, 3, 6)
Q3.
What are the primary triads in D major?
D, Em, F#m
D, F#, A
Q4.
What are the secondary triads?
I, iii, V (1, 3, 5)
I, IV, V (1, 4, 5)
Q5.
What is an inversion?
Playing the notes of the chord from low to high
Reversing the chord
Q6.
Which of these is an inversion of a D major chord?
A C# D
A D E
Q7.
What do you do when you spread a chord?
Invert the chord
Repeat the chord
Q8.
What is the basso continuo?
The chords and melody in Baroque music
The ground bass and melody in Baroque music
Q9.
Who plays the basso continuo?
Harpsichord and violin
Violin and cello/bass viol
Q10.
What part of the basso contino does the cello/bass viol play?
Chords
Melody