passacaglia
1
9.9
- noun
- /ˌpæsəˈkɑːljə/
- Specialized
:
pasacalle
- When the evening class ends, I give my students their garage band assignment: "Create your own lament that uses a passacaglia as its unifying device."
Examples
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The music teacher explained how a passacaglia is structured around a repeated chord progression.
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Well, it reminds me of the chaconne or passacaglia.
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Our analysis is orderly, giving particular attention to the passacaglia that underpins and unifies the work.
Academic text (2011) -
Next, another lament is played that uses the same passacaglia in the same key: Led Zeppelin's "Dazed and Confused."
Academic text (2011) -
I listened to a beautiful passacaglia that featured intricate variations over a repeating bass line.
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During the concert, the orchestra performed a captivating passacaglia that showcased their skill in musical variations.
Synonyms
1
9.9
A musical piece of repeating chords with changing melody in slow triple time
How Fast
Surface Forms
Etymology
The word passacaglia comes from old Spanish parts passa and calle, meaning 'to walk' and 'street', because it began as a song or dance played while people walked through the streets. That's why a passacaglia today is a slow, steady musical piece with repeating low notes that feel like walking steps.