Rock & Roll 101 > Definitions

Musical Definitions

All' 8va bassa, all' 8va sotto
An octave lower.
Bass
The lower voices of men. Also instruments which play the notes of these voices.
Bass or F Clef
See 'Signs on the staves.'
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.