How does a bass line 'ground' the music?

In this lesson, we will learn about the role of the basso continuo and ground bass in Baroque music. We will explore how to play the ground bass stylistically in a virtual Baroque ensemble!

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Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

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Quiz:

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Before we start this lesson, let’s see what you can remember from this topic. Here’s a quick quiz!

Q1.When was the Baroque Period?

1/10

Q2.What is the main texture of Pachelbel's Canon in D?

2/10

Q3.What are the two sharps in the key of D major?

3/10

Q4.In a scale, what number note is the 'root' note?

4/10

Q5.Which instrument would we find in the Baroque period?

5/10

Q6.What is a canon?

6/10

Q7.What do we call melodic decorations in music?

7/10

Q8.What is this ornament and how do you play it?

8/10

Q9.What is a phrase?

9/10

Q10.What is the correct word for getting louder?

10/10

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

Why we're removing unit quizzes from the website >
Quiz:

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Before we start this lesson, let’s see what you can remember from this topic. Here’s a quick quiz!

Q1.When was the Baroque Period?

1/10

Q2.What is the main texture of Pachelbel's Canon in D?

2/10

Q3.What are the two sharps in the key of D major?

3/10

Q4.In a scale, what number note is the 'root' note?

4/10

Q5.Which instrument would we find in the Baroque period?

5/10

Q6.What is a canon?

6/10

Q7.What do we call melodic decorations in music?

7/10

Q8.What is this ornament and how do you play it?

8/10

Q9.What is a phrase?

9/10

Q10.What is the correct word for getting louder?

10/10

Video

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Worksheet

These slides will take you through some tasks for the lesson. If you need to re-play the video, click the ‘Resume Video’ icon. If you are asked to add answers to the slides, first download or print out the worksheet. Once you have finished all the tasks, click ‘Next’ below.

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

Why we're removing unit quizzes from the website >
Quiz:

How does a bass line 'ground' the music?

Don’t worry if you get a question wrong! Forgetting is an important step in learning. We will recap next lesson.

Q1.What does melody mean?

1/10

Q2.What does accompaniment mean?

2/10

Q3.What is a ground bass?

3/10

Q4.How long are the notes in the ground bass in Pachelbel's canon?

4/10

Q5.What is the basso continuo?

5/10

Q6.Who plays the basso continuo?

6/10

Q7.What part of the basso continuo does the cello/bass viol play?

7/10

Q8.What is the bass clef used for?

8/10

Q9.What are the notes in the spaces in the bass clef?

9/10

Q10.What are the notes on the lines in the bass clef?

10/10

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

Why we're removing unit quizzes from the website >
Quiz:

How does a bass line 'ground' the music?

Don’t worry if you get a question wrong! Forgetting is an important step in learning. We will recap next lesson.

Q1.What does melody mean?

1/10

Q2.What does accompaniment mean?

2/10

Q3.What is a ground bass?

3/10

Q4.How long are the notes in the ground bass in Pachelbel's canon?

4/10

Q5.What is the basso continuo?

5/10

Q6.Who plays the basso continuo?

6/10

Q7.What part of the basso continuo does the cello/bass viol play?

7/10

Q8.What is the bass clef used for?

8/10

Q9.What are the notes in the spaces in the bass clef?

9/10

Q10.What are the notes on the lines in the bass clef?

10/10

Lesson summary: How does a bass line 'ground' the music?

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Time to move!

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For 5 mins...

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