L1 - Learning the ground bass
Lesson Objectives:
To know the key features of Pachelbel's Canon
To understand the basics of the Baroque period
To be able to play the ground bass from Pachelbel's Canon
Pachelbel's Canon
Pachelbel’s Canon is the common name for the piece ‘Canon and Gigue for 3 violins and basso continuo’ by the German Baroque composer Johann Pachelbel.
As we have just heard, although this piece was originally written around 1690, it has been a source of inspiration for many modern musicians, and is widely performed today, both in its original and reimagined forms.
Ground Bass
A bassline which repeats over and over again. In Pachelbel’s Canon the bassline repeats 28 times! During the Baroque period, a ground bass was typically played by a basso continuo.
Canon
A canon occurs when different instruments or voices sing or play the same melody but start at different times. The canon in this piece sounds over the ground bass, and contributes a weaving, ever-changing melody. It was written for 3 violins.
Task 1 - Playing Pachelbel's Canon
