ground bass

[ beys ]

noun

, Music.

1. a short fundamental bass part continually repeated throughout a movement.

ground bass

/ beɪs /

noun

1. music a short melodic bass line that is repeated over and over again

Word History and Origins

Origin of ground bass¹

First recorded in 1690–1700

Example Sentences

And this voice was accompanied by a deep and monotonous murmur, and by the ground bass of the daraboukkeh.

From Project Gutenberg

It is the ground-bass of love, however transcendentalised, and whether it give birth to children or ideas.

From Project Gutenberg

It is generally accompanied by doubles or variations, and is invariably written on a ground bass or basso ostinato.

From Project Gutenberg

The main characteristic of the bag-pipe is the drone ground bass which sounds without intermission.

From Project Gutenberg

By a Ground Bass is meant a theme, continually repeated, in the lowest voice, each time with varied upper parts.

From Project Gutenberg