Lesson Objectives:
To become familiar with the notes of the A minor scale and what a chromatic note is
To understand what a ground bass is and it’s features in ‘Music For a While’
To understand what a figured bass is
To look at what an ornament is and the ones used in ‘Music For a While’
To look at the introduction of ‘Music For a While’
To choose a performance or composition task
A Minor Scale
‘Music For a While’ is in the key of A minor, which has no sharps or flats.
NOTE: In a minor scale the 7th note is raised a semitone so the G becomes G#
What is Ground Bass?
Throughout the song a similar bass line is repeated.
This is known as a ground bass and was quite common in the Baroque Period
Ground bass in Music For A While
The ground bass with perfect cadence.
Figured Bass
Below the bass line, the harpsichord player would see numbers, which tells them what chords to play.
This is called a figured bass and was the way continuo parts were written in the Baroque period
The player would make the treble part up (RH) on the spot!
Ornaments
Ornaments are the jewellery of music! They decorate the melody.
Ornaments are a feature of the Baroque period and they are used throughout ‘Music For a While’ in both the vocal and harpsichord parts.
Here is a list of ornaments that can be heard in ‘Music For a While’
Review questions:
1) What key is ‘Music for a While’ in?
2) Identify three features of the ground bass that repeats throughout the song
3) What is meant by a figured bass?
4) Listen to the opening 3 bars and state two ways that Purcell creates a solemn and sorrowful mood
5) What cadence is heard at the end of bar 3 into bar 4?