Harpsichord, Organ, Figured Bass, Basso Continuo

Question 1

what is harpsichord?

Answer 1

Instrument played like a keyboard but fully through string means, not characterizing it in the percussion family (like a piano can).​

Question 2

what is a baroque organ

Answer 2

large pipe organs which contains many parts, typical of the Baroque era​

Question 3

how does a harpsichord sound

Answer 3

dry and plucked, making it more formal than a modern piano​

Question 4

how does a baroque organ sound

Answer 4

majestic and powerful​

Question 5

how does the harpsichord work

Answer 5

through the plucking of strings with a plectrum (material used for this), which is attached to a key . The plucking system is called ‘jack’. ​

Question 6

how does a baroque organ work

Answer 6

through the wind passing through the pipes. Each pipe was responsible for a single pitch.​

Question 7

limitations of hapsichord

Answer 7

no control over dynamics (loudness) and quality, sound dies quicky

Question 8

limitations of baroque organ

Answer 8

Large and heavy, incredible volume (sometimes too loud), complicated​

Question 9

what is basso continuo

Answer 9

accompanying part that play harmony and bassline typically played by keyboard instrument. Performers may improvise and decorate the piece with ornamentation​

Question 10

what is figured bass

Answer 10

bassline with harmonies written in single note notation​

Question 11

how do basso continuo and figured bass relate?

Answer 11

go together in creating a flowing piece and they both oversee the bassline and harmony, never the melody​