What is the musical term 'lament bass'?

In music, the lament bass is a type of ground bass, which is a repeating bass line. It is constructed from a descending perfect fourth interval, moving from the tonic note to the dominant note, with each note in this descent being harmonized.

How is the diatonic version of the lament bass described in terms of scale degrees?

The diatonic version of the lament bass is described as the upper tetrachord of the natural minor scale, which is also known as the Phrygian tetrachord.

What characterizes the chromatic version of the lament bass?

The chromatic version of the lament bass, also referred to as the chromatic fourth, is distinguished by having all the semitones filled in within its descending interval.

What emotional or thematic associations are commonly linked to the lament bass in music?

The lament bass is frequently employed in musical compositions to convey feelings of tragedy or sorrow.

What common misperception exists regarding the lament bass and its affective associations?

A common misperception is that the lament bass, particularly from Venetian opera, became so prevalent that it exclusively evoked tragic or sorrowful emotions, overshadowing all other associations. For instance, Peter Holman noted that Henry Purcell used the descending minor tetrachord in a way that was associated with love in 17th-century opera.

What is the 'complaint' or 'complainte' form from the Romantic Era?

In the Romantic Era, there was a musical form known as the 'complaint' or 'complainte' (in French), which is essentially a lament. This form is typically short and free in structure.

What are the typical compositional characteristics of the 'complaint' or 'lament' form?

The complaint or lament form is usually characterized by a series of harmonic variations presented in a homophonic texture. It features a descending tetrachord in the bass, often suggesting a minor mode, which acts as a short ground bass and is repeated throughout the composition.

What does the image caption 'Chromatic fourth: lament bass bassline in Dm' illustrate?

The image caption indicates that the illustration shows the chromatic fourth, specifically a lament bassline in D minor, which descends through the notes D, C#, C, B, B♭, and A.

What does the image caption 'Lament bass without chromatic semitones' depict?

The image caption describes a lament bass without chromatic semitones, illustrating a descending tetrachord in A minor, consisting of the notes A, G, F, and E. This pattern is often followed by a Phrygian cadence.

What musical work by Vivaldi is referenced in relation to the lament bass?

The lament bass is referenced in relation to Antonio Vivaldi's motet titled 'O qui coeli terraeque serenitas,' specifically within Aria No. 2, RV 631.

How is the lament bass harmonization presented in Beethoven's 'C-Minor Variations'?

The lament bass is shown with a tonally coherent harmonization in Beethoven's work titled 'C-Minor Variations,' composed in 1806.

Which Bach piece features a passacaglia ground bass based on the lament bass concept?

Johann Sebastian Bach's 'Crucifixus' from the Mass in B minor features a passacaglia ground bass that is based on the lament bass. This passage draws from the first choral movement of his 1714 cantata, 'Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen,' BWV 12.

What does the image caption related to 'Dido's Lament' illustrate about the lament bass?

The image caption indicates that it displays the chromatic fourth ground bass from Henry Purcell's 'Dido's Lament,' specifically showing measures 1 through 6, demonstrating its use in a famous operatic aria.

What is the primary characteristic of a ground bass in music?

A ground bass is a repeating bass line or pattern that forms the foundation of a musical composition. It is typically repeated throughout the piece.

What is a tetrachord in music?

A tetrachord is a sequence of four notes, often forming a segment of a scale. In the context of the lament bass, it refers to a specific four-note descending pattern.

What is the difference between a diatonic and a chromatic interval in music?

A diatonic interval uses notes found within a standard scale, while a chromatic interval includes notes outside the standard scale, often involving semitones. The chromatic version of the lament bass fills in these semitones.

What is the significance of the descending perfect fourth in the lament bass?

The descending perfect fourth is a fundamental structural element of the lament bass, defining the range from the tonic to the dominant note over which the bass line moves.

What is a Phrygian cadence?

A Phrygian cadence is a type of musical cadence, typically found in minor keys, that involves a specific harmonic progression. In the context of the lament bass, it often follows the descending tetrachord pattern.

What is the primary function of the lament bass in conveying emotion?

The lament bass is primarily used in music as a device to evoke feelings of tragedy or sorrow in the listener.

What is the relationship between the lament bass and the concept of 'ground bass'?

The lament bass is a specific type of ground bass, characterized by its descending perfect fourth structure. Like all ground basses, it is a repeating melodic or harmonic pattern in the bass part of a composition.

What does the term 'harmonized' mean in the context of the lament bass description?

When a step in the lament bass is described as 'harmonized,' it means that chords or other melodic lines are played simultaneously with those bass notes, creating a fuller musical texture according to the principles of harmony.

What is the 'Phrygian tetrachord'?

The Phrygian tetrachord refers to the specific pattern of four notes that forms the upper part of the natural minor scale, and it is the basis for the diatonic version of the lament bass.

What is the 'chromatic fourth' in relation to the lament bass?

The chromatic fourth is the term used for the chromatic version of the lament bass, indicating that the interval is filled with semitones, creating a more complex or intense sound compared to the diatonic version.

What specific musical work by Henry Purcell is mentioned in connection with the lament bass?

Henry Purcell's work 'Dido's Lament' is explicitly mentioned and illustrated as featuring a chromatic fourth ground bass, which is a form of the lament bass.

What is the significance of the Vivaldi example (RV 631, Aria No. 2) regarding the lament bass?

The Vivaldi motet 'O qui coeli terraeque serenitas,' RV 631, Aria No. 2, serves as an example where the lament bass is utilized.

What does the musical notation in the Vivaldi example's caption represent?

The musical notation and accompanying audio in the Vivaldi example demonstrate the lament bass as it appears in Aria No. 2 of his motet 'O qui coeli terraeque serenitas,' RV 631.

What is the context of the Bach example ('Crucifixus' from Mass in B minor)?

In Bach's 'Crucifixus' from the Mass in B minor, the lament bass concept is used as a passacaglia ground bass. This musical passage is derived from his earlier cantata, 'Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen,' BWV 12, composed in 1714.

What is the 'homophonic texture' mentioned in the description of the complaint/lament form?

Homophonic texture in music occurs when all parts move together rhythmically, creating a chordal effect, or when there is a clear melody supported by chordal accompaniment. In the complaint form, this texture is used for the harmonic variations.

What are some examples of songs by The Beatles that reportedly use the lament bass pattern?

Several songs by The Beatles are cited as examples featuring the lament bass pattern, including 'Any Time at All,' 'Girl,' 'I'll Be Back,' 'I'll Follow the Sun,' 'The Magical Mystery Tour' (in the coda), 'Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,' 'Michelle,' and 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps.'

Beyond The Beatles, what other artists or genres are represented in the list of musical works using the lament bass?

The list of musical works featuring the lament bass extends across various artists and genres, including jazz standards ('My Funny Valentine'), film scores ('Dumbledore's Farewell'), rock (Radiohead, Led Zeppelin, The White Stripes, Muse, Chicago), classical composers (Vivaldi, Beethoven, Bach, Purcell, Monteverdi, Mendelssohn, Cavalli), musical theatre (The Apple Tree, Jesus Christ Superstar, Hedwig and the Angry Inch), and pop artists (Paul Simon, Elton John, Green Day, Destiny's Child, NSYNC, The Stray Cats, Donovan).

What is the 'Andalusian cadence'?

The Andalusian cadence is a common chord progression in flamenco and other Spanish music, as well as in rock music. It typically consists of a descending minor sequence.

What is the significance of the 'Chromatic fourth' in music theory?

The chromatic fourth refers to a descending interval of a perfect fourth where all the intervening semitones are present. It is a specific type of melodic or harmonic construction, often associated with the lament bass and used for expressive purposes.

How is the lament bass used in the context of 'tragedy or sorrow'?

The lament bass serves as a musical motif or harmonic structure that composers utilize to evoke feelings of tragedy or sorrow within their compositions, helping to set a somber mood.

What does the reference to Peter Holman and Henry Purcell suggest about the historical understanding of the lament bass?

The reference suggests that while the lament bass is often associated with sorrow, historical interpretations, such as Peter Holman's analysis of Henry Purcell's work, indicate it could also be associated with other emotions, like love, in certain 17th-century operatic contexts.

What is the 'ground bass' technique?

Ground bass is a compositional technique where a short musical phrase is repeated continuously in the bass part throughout a piece or a section of a piece. The lament bass is a specific example of this technique.

What is the definition of a 'tonic' and 'dominant' in music?

The tonic is the first note of a scale and the central note of a key, providing a sense of resolution. The dominant is the fifth note of a scale, creating a strong pull back towards the tonic.

What is a 'semitone' in music?

A semitone, also known as a half step, is the smallest interval commonly used in Western music. Filling in all semitones within an interval means including every adjacent note.

What is the 'natural minor scale'?

The natural minor scale is one of the forms of the minor scale, characterized by a specific pattern of whole and half steps (W-H-W-W-H-W-W). It forms the basis for the diatonic form of the lament bass.

What is the 'Phrygian cadence'?

A Phrygian cadence is a specific type of cadence in music, often characterized by a descending half-step movement in the bass line (like E to D in A minor), creating a distinctive harmonic resolution.

What does the term 'ostinato' mean in music?

Ostinato is an Italian musical term meaning 'stubborn.' It refers to a continually repeated musical phrase or rhythm, often in the bass part, similar to a ground bass.

What is the 'Romantic Era' in music history?

The Romantic Era in music history, roughly spanning the 19th century, was characterized by a focus on emotional expression, individualism, and often a departure from the strict forms of earlier periods like the Classical era. The 'complaint' form fits within this expressive context.

What is 'homophonic texture'?

Homophonic texture describes music where all parts move together rhythmically, creating chords, or where a clear melody is supported by accompanying harmony. It contrasts with polyphonic texture, where multiple independent melodic lines are interwoven.

What is a 'tetrachord'?

A tetrachord is a musical term referring to a sequence of four notes. In the context of scales, it often represents a segment of four consecutive notes.

What is the significance of the 'Lament bass' appearing in the 'See also' section alongside 'Andalusian cadence'?

Its inclusion in the 'See also' section suggests a potential relationship or similarity between the lament bass and the Andalusian cadence, perhaps in their harmonic structure, function, or common usage in certain musical genres.

What is the purpose of the 'External links' section in this article?

The 'External links' section provides a pointer to related resources, in this case, directing users to Wikimedia Commons for additional media files associated with the topic of the lament bass.

What does the term 'ground bass' imply about the repetition of the bass line?

The term 'ground bass' implies that the bass line is not just repeated once or twice, but is a persistent, recurring element that continues throughout a significant portion or the entirety of the musical composition.

What is the difference between the diatonic and chromatic versions of the lament bass in terms of intervallic content?

The diatonic version of the lament bass uses the intervals found naturally within the minor scale, whereas the chromatic version includes all the semitones within its four-note descent, creating a denser harmonic texture.

What is the primary function of the lament bass as a compositional device?

The lament bass functions as a repeating bass line (ground bass) built on a descending perfect fourth, commonly employed by composers to musically signify themes of tragedy or sorrow.

What does the phrase 'with each step harmonized' mean in the definition of the lament bass?

This phrase means that as the bass line descends, each note (or 'step') is accompanied by corresponding chords or other musical parts that create a harmonic context, rather than the bass notes being played in isolation.

What is the 'perfect fourth' interval in music?

A perfect fourth is a musical interval spanning four scale degrees, consisting of two whole steps and one half step (e.g., C to F). It is considered a consonant interval in Western harmony.

What is the 'dominant' note in a musical scale?

The dominant note is the fifth degree of a musical scale. It holds a significant position in tonal harmony, often creating tension that resolves to the tonic.

Lament Bass Wiki: The Melancholy Descent: Understanding the Lament Bass

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Core Concept

Definition

In music theory, the lament bass is a specific type of ground bass, characterized by a descending perfect fourth from the tonic to the dominant. Each step within this descent is harmonized, creating a foundational melodic and harmonic structure.

Harmonic Structure

The lament bass can manifest in two primary forms:

Diatonic Version: This utilizes the upper tetrachord of the natural minor scale, often referred to as the Phrygian tetrachord.
Chromatic Version: This version fills in all the semitones within the descending fourth, creating a more chromatic and often more poignant effect.

Emotional Resonance

Historically, the lament bass is strongly associated with evoking feelings of tragedy, sorrow, and profound grief in listeners. Its descending, often chromatic, nature contributes to this somber affective quality.

Historical Context & Nuance

Beyond Melancholy

While the lament bass is widely recognized for its association with sorrow, a nuanced understanding reveals that this is not its sole affective domain. Historical scholarship indicates a potential misperception that this bass pattern was exclusively linked to tragedy, particularly in 17th-century Venetian opera.

For instance, musicologist Peter Holman notes that while the descending minor tetrachord was indeed associated with lamentation, it was also employed to convey other sentiments. He points out that Henry Purcell, a prominent composer of the era, sometimes used this descending ground associated with "love" in his operatic works, challenging the notion of a singular, fixed emotional meaning.

Origins and Evolution

The lament bass pattern has roots in early music, evolving through various periods. Its consistent use as a ground bass, repeating throughout a composition, provides a stable harmonic foundation while allowing for melodic and expressive variation above it. This technique was particularly prevalent in Baroque and Classical eras.

Compositional Form

The "Complaint" Form

A specific musical form, often termed "complaint" or "complainte" (French), is closely related to the lament bass. This form typically consists of a series of harmonic variations presented in a homophonic texture.

The defining characteristic is the repeated bass line, which descends through a tetrachord. This tetrachord, often suggesting a minor mode, serves as a continuous ground bass, anchoring the composition's harmonic progression and emotional trajectory.

Notable Musical Works

Examples Across Eras

The lament bass motif has been employed by numerous composers across various genres and historical periods. Its enduring presence highlights its effectiveness in conveying specific emotional states.

"My Funny Valentine" by Rodgers and Hart
"Any Time at All", "Girl", "I'll Be Back", "I'll Follow the Sun", "The Magical Mystery Tour", "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds", "Michelle", "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" by The Beatles
"Dumbledore's Farewell" from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
"Paranoid Android" by Radiohead
"Dido's Lament" by Henry Purcell
"Chaconne in F minor" by Johann Pachelbel
"Lamento della Ninfa" by Claudio Monteverdi
"Pink Elephants on Parade" from Disney's Dumbo
"Hedwig's Lament" from Hedwig and the Angry Inch
"I've Got What You Want" and "Tiger, Tiger" from The Apple Tree
"The Cat Came Back" by Harry S. Miller
"Hit the Road Jack" by Percy Mayfield / Ray Charles
"Babe I'm Gonna Leave You" by Joan Baez / Led Zeppelin
"25 or 6 to 4" by Chicago
"Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground" by The White Stripes
"50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" by Paul Simon
"Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" by Elton John
"Brain Stew" by Green Day
"Butterflies and Hurricanes" and "Thoughts of a Dying Atheist" by Muse
"Gethsemane (I Only Want To Say)" from Jesus Christ Superstar
"Bills, Bills, Bills" and "Bye Bye Bye" by Destiny's Child and NSYNC respectively
"Stray Cat Strut" by The Stray Cats
"Ruy Blas" Overture, Op. 95 by Felix Mendelssohn
"Misero Apollo" and "Hor che l'aurora" by Francesco Cavalli
"Hampstead Incident" by Donovan
"Wake Me Up When September Ends" by Green Day
"Matilda Mother" by Pink Floyd

The source material provides audio demonstrations for several of these works, illustrating the lament bass in practice:

Audio Demonstrations

Listen to specific examples illustrating the lament bass:

Vivaldi's Motet RV 631

A demonstration of the chromatic fourth ground bass from Vivaldi's motet "O qui coeli terraeque serenitas".

Chromatic fourth: lament bass bassline in Dm (D-C♯-C♮-B-B♭-A). Play

Lament bass without chromatic semitones: descending tetrachord in A minor (A-G-F-E). Play without harmonization and Play with harmonization followed by Phrygian cadence.

Beethoven's C-Minor Variations

Tonally coherent harmonization from Beethoven's 32 Variations in C minor.

Tonally coherent harmonization from Beethoven's C-Minor Variations. Play

Bach's Mass in B minor

Passacaglia ground bass from Bach's "Crucifixus" in the Mass in B minor.

Passacaglia ground bass in Bach's Crucifixus from the Mass in B minor. Play

Purcell's Dido's Lament

Dido's Lament chromatic fourth ground bass.

Dido's Lament chromatic fourth ground bass. Play

Related Concepts

Andalusian Cadence

The Andalusian cadence is a common harmonic progression in flamenco music and other genres. It shares similarities with the lament bass in its descending bass line, often featuring a descending minor second or semitone, contributing to its characteristic melancholic or dramatic effect.

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References

Brover-Lubovsky (2008), p.153. "In the eighteenth century...the lament bass almost automatically invoked somber affection, gravity, and oppressiveness."

Dupre, Marcel (1937). Cours Complet d'Improvisation a l'Orgue: Exercices Preparees, v. 1, p. 14, trans. John Fenstermaker. Paris: Alphonse Leduc.

mudcat.org: The Cat Came Back (original lyrics)

eNotes: Lament Bass http://www.enotes.com/topic/Lament_bass

A full list of references for this article are available at the Lament bass Wikipedia page

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Important Notice

This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

This is not professional musicological advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional consultation regarding music theory, composition, or music history. Always refer to authoritative academic sources and consult with qualified musicologists or composers for specific inquiries.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.

The Melancholy Descent

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

Core Concept 🎵

🎶 Definition

🎼 Harmonic Structure

😔 Emotional Resonance

Historical Context & Nuance 📜

🎭 Beyond Melancholy

🏛️ Origins and Evolution

Compositional Form ⚙️

🎹 The "Complaint" Form

Notable Musical Works 🎻

🎼 Examples Across Eras

🔊 Audio Demonstrations

Vivaldi's Motet RV 631

Beethoven's C-Minor Variations

Bach's Mass in B minor

Purcell's Dido's Lament

Related Concepts 🔗

🎶 Andalusian Cadence

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

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📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Core Concept

Definition

Harmonic Structure

Emotional Resonance

Historical Context & Nuance

Beyond Melancholy

Origins and Evolution

Compositional Form

The "Complaint" Form

Notable Musical Works

Examples Across Eras

Audio Demonstrations

Related Concepts

Andalusian Cadence

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice