These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- 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!
Licence
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.
Loading...
10 Questions
Q1.
When was the Baroque Period?
1500-1600
1700-1850
Q2.
What is the main texture of Pachelbel's Canon in D?
Homophonic
Monophonic
Q3.
What are the two sharps in the key of D major?
F# D#
F# E#
Q4.
In a scale, what number note is the 'root' note?
3
5
Q5.
Which instrument would we find in the Baroque period?
Clarinet
Piano
Q6.
What is a canon?
Playing in counterpoint
When a person sings or plays a different part, but comes in later
Q7.
What do we call melodic decorations in music?
Additions
Colour
Q8.
What is this ornament and how do you play it?
A grace note, you play it very quickly before another note
A trill - you alternate between two notes very quickly
Q9.
What is a phrase?
A melody
The number of beats in a bar
Q10.
What is the correct word for getting louder?
Diminuendo
Staccato
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