“Too many pieces of music finish too long after the end."
AUTHOR: Igor Stravinsky
“The secret to writing a good piece of music is not to make it too short or too long.
Timing is everything.”
COMPOSER
VIVALDI
Basso Continuo is a form of musical accompaniment (accompaning solo instruments and singers as well as instrumental groups) used in the Baroque period. It means "continuous bass" and is a method of thickening musical textures by augmenting the bass line. Usually this accompaniment was played by a keyboard instrument and another bass instrument such as cello, violone (an old form of double bass) or bassoon. The keyboard instrument was normally a harpsichord or, if it was being played in a church, an organ.
The continuo player will “realize” the figured bass i.e. he will improvise the chords which are shown. In modern editions of old music the figured bass part has normally been realized (written out) by the editor. Over the bass line the accompanist would often improvise ornamental bits on the treble top. Reading music from a figured bass was a skill that all keyboard and piano players were expected to have. They needed to have a good understanding of music theory, especially of harmony.
The use of the basso continuo is confined, for the most part, to music of the Baroque era. So widespread was the use of the basso continuo that some people used to refer to the Baroque period as the "basso continuo era." Continuo groups are employed in vocal and instrumental ensembles ranging from three musicians to larger groups.
COMPOSER
VIVALDI
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CONCERTO for FOUR VIOLINS, CELLO, STRINGS, and CONTINUO
B MINOR RV. 580 OPUS 3 NO. 10
Basso Continuo is a form of musical accompaniment (accompaning solo instruments and singers as well as instrumental groups) used in the Baroque period. It means "continuous bass" and is a method of thickening musical textures by augmenting the bass line. Usually this accompaniment was played by a keyboard instrument and another bass instrument such as cello, violone (an old form of double bass) or bassoon. The keyboard instrument was normally a harpsichord or, if it was being played in a church, an organ.
It was not usual to write out all the notes for the keyboard player. The composer normally just wrote the bottom line (an independent bass line) which would be played by the bottom part of the left hand, and by the cello or whatever the instrument being used. The composer would indicate what the harmony should be (which chords should be played) by writing figures underneath the music . This is why this accompaniment is sometimes called "figured bass," besides the names of "thoroughbass," or simply "continuo."
The use of the basso continuo is confined, for the most part, to music of the Baroque era. So widespread was the use of the basso continuo that some people used to refer to the Baroque period as the "basso continuo era." Continuo groups are employed in vocal and instrumental ensembles ranging from three musicians to larger groups.
LINKS
GENERAL MUSIC
01. KEYBOARD THEORY WORKSHEET (MUSICAL ALPHABET) PAGE 7
02. KEYBOARD DIRECTIONS: PLAYING THE SONG "YANKEE DOODLE"
........a. PRACTICE AT KEYBOARDS WITH TEACHER HELP AS NEEDED
........a. PRACTICE AT KEYBOARDS WITH TEACHER HELP AS NEEDED
ADV. STRINGS
01. CABALTO
02. PARADISE
03. STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN
02. PARADISE
03. STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN
BEG. STRINGS
01. CABALITO (MELODY)
02. SABOR A MI (HARMONY)
03. PARADISE (HARMONY)
01. CABALITO (MELODY)
02. SABOR A MI (HARMONY)
03. PARADISE (HARMONY)
04. STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN (MELODY)