Musical Definitions
- Basso continuo
(Italian) Also called 'continuo' or 'figured bass'. Basso continuo is a system for notating chords developed thorugh the 16th century and popular through the 17th century.
Basso continuo is in many ways similar to modern chord notation, but there are also important differences. In basso continuo the bass line is notated in standard notation, while other chord notes might be indicated with numbers and other symbols below the bass note. - Basso ostinato
(Italian) A bass line or pattern repeated over and over while upper parts proceed. - All' 8va bassa, all' 8va sotto
An octave lower. - Bass or F Clef
See 'Signs on the staves.' - Bass
The lower voices of men. Also instruments which play the notes of these voices. - Baritone
Voices and instruments halfway between tenor and bass. - Bossa Nova
A latin style of instrumental music, originating in 1950's Brazil, derived from Samba, and characterized by a gentle mood, moderate to slow Samba rhythm and bass line, blended with subdued percussion and somewhat complex harmonic flavors heavily influenced by mid-20th century Jazz . - Signs On The Staves
There are four common signs used on the staves. They are the treble , or G clef, the bass clef , or F clef, the alto clef (the C CLEF on the middle line), and the tenor (the C CLEF on the second from top line). Each of these clefs were originally letters, indicating which note on the staff was that note.