Music: Theory, Forms, and Instruments

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music Further reading

ground bass

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. | 2008 | Copyright

ground bass melodic phrase used repeatedly as a bass line. In its earlier form, developed in the 13th and 14th cent., the ground or basso ostinato [Ital.=obstinate] never varied in harmonization or pitch. The tenor, or pes, of Sumer Is Icumen In is such a ground. Another sort was developed during the 17th cent. by Purcell and his contemporaries. This ground was not rigid as to pitch, sometimes moving from bass to soprano. It was composed with varying melodies and harmonies in the upper parts. The result was often a series of variations as in the baroque chaconne and passacaglia . The device often has great dramatic effect. J. S. Bach and Handel made remarkable use of it.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

"ground bass." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"ground bass." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-groundba.html

"ground bass." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-groundba.html

Learn more about citation styles

ground bass

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music | 1996 | | Copyright

ground bass (It. basso ostinato, ‘obstinate bass’). Short thematic motif in bass which is constantly repeated with changing harmonies while upper parts proceed and vary. Originated in cantus firmus of choral mus. and became popular in 17th cent., particularly in Eng., as a ground for variations in str. mus. Hence the no. of ‘divisions on a ground’. Examples exist by Byrd, Purcell, Frescobaldi, Carissimi, and Cavalli. See chaconne.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

MICHAEL KENNEDY and JOYCE BOURNE. "ground bass." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL KENNEDY and JOYCE BOURNE. "ground bass." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O76-groundbass.html

MICHAEL KENNEDY and JOYCE BOURNE. "ground bass." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music. 1996. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O76-groundbass.html

Learn more about citation styles

Free newspaper and magazine articles

	Breaking New Ground With Hastings Bass. News Wire article from: Mondaq Business Briefing; 9/7/2009
	The sumptuous Strait: wild weather and difficult currents often turn the... Magazine article from: Offshore Yachting; 12/1/2009
	STRIPED BASS LEADER NOT ON SOLID GROUND.(SPORTS) Newspaper article from: The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA); 10/22/2000