fundamental bass

[ beys ]

noun

, Music.

1. a bass consisting of the roots of the chords employed.

Word History and Origins

Origin of fundamental bass¹

First recorded in 1745–55

Example Sentences

This principle is competent to introduce wonderful order and logic into the doctrines of the fundamental bass.

From Project Gutenberg

The whole strength of the orchestra comes in again, collected in a tremendous quintet grounded on the fundamental bass,—and he is dying!

From Project Gutenberg

It was then tried with speaking: the result was the same: a powerful and perpetual hum, not resonant peculiarly to the diatessaron, the diapente, or the diapason, but making a new variety of continuous fundamental bass.

From Project Gutenberg

I am not without hope, from some symptoms I have lately seen, that rumour, in the present case, is in a fair way of being right; and if, with the accordance of the young gentleman as key-note, these two heptachords should harmonise into a double octave, I do not see why I may not take my part as fundamental bass.'

From Project Gutenberg

His widely dispersed, artistic harmonies, with the boldest and most striking suspensions, for which the fundamental bass is essential, certainly require the frequent use of the pedal for fine harmonic effect.

From Project Gutenberg