Alberti bass
Encyclopedia
Alberti bass is a particular kind of accompaniment
in music
, often used in the Classical era, and sometimes the Romantic era
. It was named after Domenico Alberti
(1710–1740), who used it extensively, although he was not the first to use it.
Alberti bass is a kind of broken chord or arpeggiated
accompaniment, where the notes of the chord
are presented in the order lowest, highest, middle, highest. This pattern is then repeated. The broken chord pattern helps to create a smooth, sustained, flowing sound on the piano.
Alberti bass is usually found in the left hand of pieces for keyboard instrument
s, especially for Mozart's Piano Pieces. However, it is also found in pieces for other instruments. For example Béla Bartók
uses it towards the end of his String Quartet No. 5
.
Well-known examples of Alberti bass include the beginning of Mozart's
Piano Sonata, K 545 and the string parts of "Secrets
" by One Republic.
Accompaniment
In music, accompaniment is the art of playing along with an instrumental or vocal soloist or ensemble, often known as the lead, in a supporting manner...
in music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
, often used in the Classical era, and sometimes the Romantic era
Romantic music
Romantic music or music in the Romantic Period is a musicological and artistic term referring to a particular period, theory, compositional practice, and canon in Western music history, from 1810 to 1900....
. It was named after Domenico Alberti
Domenico Alberti
Domenico Alberti was an Italian singer, harpsichordist, and composer whose works bridge the Baroque and Classical periods....
(1710–1740), who used it extensively, although he was not the first to use it.
Alberti bass is a kind of broken chord or arpeggiated
Arpeggio
An arpeggio is a musical technique where notes in a chord are played or sung in sequence, one after the other, rather than ringing out simultaneously...
accompaniment, where the notes of the chord
Chord (music)
A chord in music is any harmonic set of two–three or more notes that is heard as if sounding simultaneously. These need not actually be played together: arpeggios and broken chords may for many practical and theoretical purposes be understood as chords...
are presented in the order lowest, highest, middle, highest. This pattern is then repeated. The broken chord pattern helps to create a smooth, sustained, flowing sound on the piano.
Alberti bass is usually found in the left hand of pieces for keyboard instrument
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
s, especially for Mozart's Piano Pieces. However, it is also found in pieces for other instruments. For example Béla Bartók
Béla Bartók
Béla Viktor János Bartók was a Hungarian composer and pianist. He is considered one of the most important composers of the 20th century and is regarded, along with Liszt, as Hungary's greatest composer...
uses it towards the end of his String Quartet No. 5
String Quartet No. 5 (Bartók)
The String Quartet No. 5 Sz. 102, BB 110 by Béla Bartók was written between August 6 and September 6, 1934.The work is in five movements:#Allegro#Adagio molto#Scherzo: alla bulgarese#Andante#Finale: Allegro vivace...
.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , baptismal name Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart , was a prolific and influential composer of the Classical era. He composed over 600 works, many acknowledged as pinnacles of symphonic, concertante, chamber, piano, operatic, and choral music...
Piano Sonata, K 545 and the string parts of "Secrets
Secrets (OneRepublic song)
"Secrets" is the second single released from OneRepublic's second studio album Waking Up. It was released as the first single in Germany and Austria owing to its presence on the soundtrack of Til Schweiger's new film Zweiohrküken. The movie is the sequel to the film Keinohrhasen, for which...
" by One Republic.