What instrument could be used as the basso continuo in the Baroque era?
Basso continuo, sometimes just called “continuo”, was played by an instrument providing chordal accompaniment such as a keyboard instrument or plucked string instrument such as the lute along with another bass instrument such as cello, violone, or bassoon.
Which instruments can play a basso continuo?
The basso continuo was usually played with a low line instrument, like a cello or bassoon, and a chord instrument, like a harpsichord, organ, or lute.
What two instruments would play the basso continuo?
The continuo (or basso continuo) part was usually played on the harpsichord or organ. The instruments were used in the harmonies and for holding the ensemble together. The bassline was often played by the cello or bassoon.
Which of the following instruments would be best suited to play a basso continuo part during the Baroque era?
Basso continuo was the harmony of the music. Generally, an instrument that was capable of playing chords played the basso continuo, such as a harpsichord, organ, or harp. Bass instruments, such as a cello or bassoon, might also be included.
Why is basso continuo used?
The use of basso continuo was customary during the 17th and 18th centuries, when only the bass line was written out, or “thorough” (archaic spelling of “through”), giving considerable leeway to the keyboard player, usually an organist or harpsichordist, in the realization of the harmonic implications of the bass in …
What is another term for basso continuo?
Basso continuo, also called continuo, thoroughbass, or figured bass, in music, a system of partially improvised accompaniment played on a bass line, usually on a keyboard instrument.
What was the role of basso continuo in Baroque music?
Basso continuo parts, almost universal in the Baroque era (1600–1750), provided the harmonic structure of the music by supplying a bassline and a chord progression.
What kind of instruments are used in Baroque music?
The makeup of the continuo group is often left to the discretion of the performers (or, for a large performance, the conductor), and practice varied enormously within the Baroque period. At least one instrument capable of playing chords must be included, such as a piano, harpsichord, organ, lute, theorbo, guitar, regal, or harp.
What kind of instruments are in a continuo Orchestra?
It’s called the continuo, and typically consists of a harpsichord and a bass instrument, like a cello. It’s usually very easy to spot when you’re listening, as the harpsichord makes a sharp, bright sound that cuts through the other instruments of the orchestra.
What kind of instruments did Bach play in his orchestra?
The time of Bach, Handel and Vivaldi, before 1750. One of the main characteristics of music from this time is that there’s usually a backing group in the orchestra. It’s called the continuo, and typically consists of a harpsichord and a bass instrument, like a cello.