How to Play Basso Continuo: Basso Continuo Demonstration on Harpsichord

[@alliwantisfinancialstabili7414]

What am I doing here? I have 3 online quizzes due in 37 minutes. I DONT EVEN HAVE A HARPSICHORD.

[@bruceanderson5538]

Christmas is soon and Old Saint Nick might be reading your comment. Good luck.

[@PeterDad60]

You were relaxing, which would allow you to have energy, which in turn will allow you to score better on the on-line quizzes.

[@xinyuzhu2086]

hahahaha

[@amorphousartist3574]

Lol, I'm here just looking for videos for a music podcast project and I legit have other pending assignments, though the 5-minute preview of my assignment is due in like 4 hours rip X"3

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@XDranzer000 A Piano ought to work for realized continuo cause the dynamics can be controlled due to its sensitive velocity.

[@johne1599]

Nice sound together. The harpsichord is a refreshing change from the modern day instruments. You're both, obviously, very accomplished on your instruments. Thanks for the performance and explaining the music! Great intonation on the bass and very precise fingering. Well done, young lady. It's much harder than she makes it look, folks.Together, your instruments blend very well. KUDOS and Thanks to both of you!!

[@AltoonaYourPiano]

The basso continuo was one of the main thins that saved the harpsichord, because of its power to "cut through" the orchestra, it still had some use deep into the 19th century, keeping enough visibility to spark enough interest for the modern revival.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

To make it cut through a Modern Orchestra I'd have to put pickups beneath the Strings and plug it into an amp so that it's even louder.

[@Lucius_Chiaraviglio]

@@RockStarOscarStern634 That is one approach, but another approach that is valid (but has unfortunately died out) is to build a harpsichord that can cut through a modern orchestra. That was the idea behind the Revival harpsichords, with varying degrees of success, but with enough promise that it is too bad that this art has nearly died out as Baroque/Classical reproduction harpsichords took their rightful place in playing music of those times, but before enough modern music had been written for Revival harpsichords to establish a place for them, such as the Poulenc harpsichord concerto (Concert champêtre, written in 1927 - 1928).

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@Lucius_Chiaraviglio The Revival Harpsichords are back

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@Lucius_Chiaraviglio Baldwin made Electric Harpsichords which the Beatles played

[@Lucius_Chiaraviglio]

@@RockStarOscarStern634 Did something change in the last few years? Last time I checked a few years ago, only one company (Neumann) was making them, and they weren't the best ones.

[@ColinGuitarandVoice]

Great video! Thanks! I am a classical guitarist and singer songwriter. I have just purchased a keyboard to to expand my study of harmony for composing and songwriting purposes and this just hit on where my inspiration has been leading me. Well done!

[@mysteriousman4966]

ahhh the harpsichord. the best sounding instrument to me!

[@laraurrutia]

der Dennis it indeed has a lovely sound that takes me back in time

[@marcussfebruary9104]

Oh yes!

[@sapiensfromterra5103]

Amen, just how the notes sparkle like the reflection of sunlight on a lake

[@vinniesmyyth334]

@@laraurrutia how far back? Like 300 years?

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@marcussfebruary9104 Will this method of playing Continuo on the Harpsichord apply to the Piano too?

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

emilyplayscello I'm not sure if you know this or not, the written out Continuo Realization for Corelli's 12 Sonatas for Violin was done by another well known composer named Antonio Tonelli. The 5 String Baroque Cello (coming soon) was used in Bach's 6th Suite in D Major (BWV 1012) but since it's also an Octave below a Violin (plus a Low C String added) anything written for the Violin can be played on the 5 String Cello down an Octave.

[@oliviasounders545]

Wow. You guys are really good! This is super helpful for my baroque music essay. It is much easier to understand basso continuo through the music than it is from written word. Thank you!

[@BG-pg5tu]

Using this in my class. Good information and demonstration. Thx.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

emilyplayscello Realized Continuo can have some advantages, like my favorite is to facilitate good technique. In Bach's Cantatas, the realized Continuo is always in the Organ parts published by Barenreiter (Organ parts can be played on Harpsichord too).

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

10:48 Measure of 3 dotted half note is a Diminuendo aka Decrescendo.

[@alina-x801]

Thank you so much, this video really helps understanding the effect of the basso continuo !

[@xinyuzhu2086]

great point on dynamics!

[@essencelove9130]

Thank you! It was very informative, interesting to watch and beautiful to listen.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Bill Napier-Hemy made a Touch-Sensitive Harpsichord which can play at various Dynamics like a Piano because the action has been slightly modified to make it work.

[@Lucius_Chiaraviglio]

You have my attention. Any more information or recordings available?

[@SoggySandwich80]

Cello and harpsichord are a match made in heaven

[@Hexspa]

Quality video. Well-presented and performed. Thanks.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

emilyplayscello This may apply to Piano too, & actually it's called Facilitated Continuo because the written out Chords facilitate good technique.

[@veot.2869]

Thank you so much for this video. This helps to understand the improvisational side of classical music and why it was important. Love the reverb, btw!!!

[@drstephenduncan]

Thank you so much, what a wonderful video for my music appreciation students to see how basso continuo actually works. Brava!

[@kyleelsbernd7566]

The improvised parts are lovely, they breathe. No comparison, of course, which is an indictment of the modern fixation on literal transcription in the classical repetoire.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

5:53 Some reasons why you should also improvise and one of them is so that your more in tune

[@PeterFritzWalter]

Wonderful, and very useful lesson about a subject I always knew links the earliest Baroque with the most advanced Jazz ...

[@ivanjukic1755]

very good class and examples

[@teomartinez7570]

Emily the wonderful!! Beautiful continuo! Vivaldi is always great ❤️

[@Salah9999]

Skip this performance??? I want skip TO performance. You guys are great, keep up the good work!

[@lalicorzomusica]

excellent!!! Thank you!!!

[@frankli8881]

Thank you so much. It is very educational.

[@RosssRoyce]

Thank you guys, thank you Emily! Wonderful and learning exploration-opening as always! I still wonder why they didn't invent a harpsichord jack that only very slightly rubs the string and only sticking out when more brisk velocity is applied to the key, so that this way varried dynamics are possible...

[@emilyplayscello]

+hallobaaaby You're welcome, glad you liked!

[@dylansauerwald684]

+hallobaaaby You're welcome! Thank you for the comment. The jack you describe isn't possible, but there were harpsichords built with pedal-operated wooden shades to make dynamics, though generally people didn't think of dynamics and texture as separate. Our modern obsession with dynamics as a single-note phenomenon was not shared by the composers of the baroque, which perhaps explains why there are so few dynamics indicated in the music.

[@RosssRoyce]

Thank for reply Emily and Dylan! You're right, they didn't seem to care to mark these. My theory is that often the pieces fell into 'standard' rhythm gendres, so strong beat is kinda suggested. I learned some Hotteterre piece for baroque flute, there he doesn't indicate dynamics but is superdetailed on the gracenotes--he has a whole sign language for those :))) the only thing apart from the scottish bagpipe i've seen with such standardised gracenotes :P BTW, i was thinking such jack may be possible by the virtue of a miniweight positioned somewhere on the lever: a weight tends to want to stay immobile upon accelleration and this may be used in terms to cause the jack's pick to stick more into the way of the string. While when played delicately, the same miniweight will just behave without this effect and the passage through the string will be more distant by default setting. I think it is feasable, like our fingers do it in a way. In a way, the piano hammers also use accelleration of weight to play out dynamics, though it is a different mechanism... Anyways, if i invent it i'll let you know :P Play well!!

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

8:35 Another aspect believe it or not is Intonation

[@ronzonirafael]

Very informative. I was finding only information on how to understand the numbers, but almost nothing on how to interpret.

[@jesiolowe7591]

Nice video and amazing harpsichordist! I'm studying the harpsichord but i still have a problem with figured basso continuo.. Greetings from Poland! :)

[@EuropaWill]

Great information thank you. Two suggestions for your next video. During the speaking portions lower the background music further as it's too loud and distracting. Much less artificial reverb added on post production would sound better and more natural. You were swimming in it. Thanks again.

[@paltieri11]

Excellent!

[@GD-ns8wf]

Nice work. Thank you for the education

[@xznb]

Emliy ofc

[@xacharon]

Great demonstration and follow-up discussion! I've always wondered how one "figures" the bass in "figured bass", and this is a great example of it. One suggestion, though: Maybe use less reverb. :)

[@emilyplayscello]

+xacharon Haha, thank you! The reverb thing is so hit or miss. I used to not add any to my videos and people complained... seems like it's a matter of personal taste. Also makes a big difference what you're listening through (laptop speakers, headphones, earbuds, computer speakers, etc.)

[@activistarts7722]

reverb is great keep doing it. Everyone does not use it and there plenty of examples of that. This version is unique. Chamber music should have a decent amount of reverb to mimic the sound waves bouncing off the bare stone walls and floors.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@emilyplayscello There's also a Pedal Harpsichord which is a Harpsichord played like an Organ thanks to the Pedals that play a 2nd Harpsichord below the 1st one. The neat thing about a Pedal Harpsichord in Continuo playing is that the Pedals can play the Bass line which frees your hands up for new fingerings of the Chords that go with the Bass line.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

7:45 Example

[@FeonaLeeJones]

Omg would love to play some cello sonatas with you. You’re amazing 🤩

[@jean-yvesPrax]

Very nice, thank you, I love this Vivaldi Sonata, and you play it very well. The C sharp of cello at 2:09 sounds weird ! What temperament do you use (Werckmeister would propose a flater C) ?

[@CelloCircle]

i think she said she does equal temperament so all the fingers are the same distance apart

[@AriannaCunningham]

0:28, ONLY Harpsichord and/or Lute? The organ is also a continuo instrument used too!!! Great video by the way! :D

[@prototypeinheritance515]

harpsichord and lute are just examples. Organ is maybe the most common continuo instrument

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@prototypeinheritance515 Piano can play Continuo as well

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

The Piano is another great continuo instrument which is ideal for if you're doing modernized versions of all baroque repritore.

[@claytonr.young-music912]

Not being fully written out makes instrumentation more malleable. You can play the best thing for a harpsichord if that's what you play, and the best thing for an organ of that's what you play. Heck, electric guitar might even be made to work.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@claytonr.young-music912 You can also do it on a Dual Keyboard Accordion

[@carlpatrickbolleia]

Fantastic video! Incredibly helpful and beautifully played. Who is the harpsichordist playing the Couperin in the background while Dylan is talking? It is heart-wrenchingly gorgeous!

[@irtap404]

I love these videos, the performances are beautiful and I am learning a lot. If I may tell you something for making it even better: when you play background music during the speech, if you do, I think it should be softer. It's a bit distracting.

[@michaelsolomon6594]

BRAVO!!! Excellent demonstration & explanation!!! I'll be using this video in my musicianship class at Contra Costa School of Performing Arts. Do you by any chance offer masterclasses? We would love to have you in Walnut Creek, California!

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

Merci beaucoup

[@Symphing12]

Would it be normal to have a double bass/violone in a Basso Continuo?

[@emilyplayscello]

yes very normal! Often times it plays for additional strength in the section along with something an octave up like cello/bassoon/gamba, but it can be the only bowed continuo instrument also.

[@taylordiclemente5651]

The bowed bass or bassoon was only omnipresent in 18th century baroque. In 17th century music, a harpsichord, theorbo, or organ alone was considered suitable, though they often worked together, and the sustained instruments were brought in for sound reinforcement in large venues and with large instrumental forces.

[@victoreijkhout6146]

Shouldn't you have a bass viol to fill out the bass line of the continuo?

[@simEXOgaming]

A bassoon would work too.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@simEXOgaming A Lirone can play Chords too

[@finess4970]

Very informative video! It´s so good, to get informations about the background of the music! Listening is one thing. But learning more about what I hear, gives me a deeper understanding and thus a closer conection to both, music and musician. Thank you! Thomas P.S. the sound in the background is a bit disturbing. What do you think - maybe next time...

[@moursundjames]

Hey that's pretty good! Thank you for your help. I'm going to make my own realization of a continuo part, and this was helpful for me to understand the function of the keyboard, as well as some advantages (and natural challenges) the harpsichord exhibits in that role. I'd love to have a similar demonstration but with a pipe organ, as the mechanics are different (for example, each note sustains when played).

[@renematei708]

I think one common misunderstanding is that it was normal to have always like a cello and a harpsichord. My harpsichord Prof. told me that Corelli f.e. wrote "per violino e violone o (which means or) cimbalo ", so either or. Nowadays one is so obsessed with C.P.E. Bach that one forgets that only if he says that it is the most common way in haben both, does not necessarily mean it was for earlier times as well.

[@emilyplayscello]

+René Matei Agreed, a continuo part is easily filled with just 1 instrument, especially in earlier repertoire. In 17th century you'd often only get a chordal instrument, and towards the 18th century basslines became active enough to have the harmonies filled with a one-line sustained instrument, though each repertoire and piece varies.

[@henrypriego]

hi guys. I enjoyed your video. Question: Can you give me your opinion about Alberti Bass? How Alberto Bass started to be used ? Thanks.

[@DonnyDonnMendoza]

There's nothing like continuo and nothing like just getting out there and doing it!

[@emilyplayscello]

+Donn Alfred Mendoza Takes bravery for sure!

[@dylansauerwald684]

+Donn Alfred Mendoza Hear, hear!

[@AshtonGleckman]

Awesome!

[@tommyiglesias2267]

What is the name of the background piece at around 6:00 thanks

[@emilyplayscello]

It's one of the Pieces de Clavecin by Couperin, I recommend all of those works!

[@carlpatrickbolleia]

La Garnier, Francois Couperin

[@shanaqbaimuru]

Wow. You just win a subscriber.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

emilyplayscello It'll work w/ Piano as well. The Realized Continuo actually works best w/ Piano

[@trashbagsmiley1999]

oof no

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@trashbagsmiley1999 I actually disagree because the Piano is something we have today and people would play harpsichord parts on it since the harpsichord is expensive

[@trashbagsmiley1999]

@@RockStarOscarStern634 You talk as if the harpsichord has gone extinct :/

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@trashbagsmiley1999 Nah I meant to say Harpsichords are really expensive.

[@trashbagsmiley1999]

@@RockStarOscarStern634 hahahaha yeah, but anyway I think harpsichords suit realized continuo best

[@CarolHaynesJ]

Really interesting ... thanks

[@piperwalton]

If Dylan is reading these comments, I wonder: do you have any recommended reading for learning how to play good, *interesting* continuo? I'm getting better at reading figured bass, but as you've shown there's a lot more to a good continuo part than just bass in left hand and the filled out chord in the right hand. Is it a matter of just getting really fluent at reading those figured bass symbols and experimenting with your playing to make things interesting? Or is it really something one needs a teacher for?

[@claytonr.young-music912]

The symbols themselves are simple. It's the improvisational skill and familiarity with the harmonic language and style that does it.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Hi Emily playing Continuo on the Harpsichord will also apply to the Piano.

[@neilwalsh3977]

MY QUESTION; how do we reintroduce continuo to composition?

[@MerlijnDingemanse]

Well that's basically what a good bass line is doing in modern compositions

[@michaelkatopodes4399]

I mean jazz head charts are literally the same thing !

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@UC95LF0f3HNtVYxnLYAPlwaw There are times when Realized Basso continuo is a good idea, and also it just depends on what's easiest for the musician to play.

[@claytonr.young-music912]

Easiest isn't always best. In fact, it rarely is. I have hardly a clue about how to play basso continuo, but I want to learn it so I play this Bach violin sonata with my friend. I found a realization, bit I'm willing to put all the work into learning for myself because I know it will improve my musicality.

[@cantoniajuk]

I think I got it. Now I need a harpsichord.

[@_MrJA]

Anyone else start thinking about Barry Lyndon when hearing harpsichord music?

[@atomicmrpelly]

The American way of pronouncing Baroque really grates with me!

[@emilyplayscello]

I actually get this complaint a lot, haha

[@Checkmate1138]

Whats the non-American way to pronounce Baroque?

[@TheAvgCommentator]

@@Checkmate1138 buh-rahk as opposed to the American buh-roak

[@Checkmate1138]

@@TheAvgCommentator Interesting, I had no idea that they pronounce it differently elsewhere. Is this just the UK and Europe or is this also the case like in Canada or Australia?

[@TheAvgCommentator]

@@Checkmate1138 I don't know. I'm from Oklahoma. I only picked up on the UK/US difference on the word "baroque" from watching a lot of Sarah Jeffery's channel.

[@cottoneyejoe1able]

your the best. in hebrew we say: ali vehatzlichi.

[@emilyplayscello]

Thank you!

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@emilyplayscello Will this method of playing Basso Continuo on Harpsichord apply to the Piano as well?

[@Loweene_Ancalimon]

Does she have and endpin ?!

[@emilyplayscello]

Nope :) You can learn about the difference between baroque and modern instruments in my video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iGG3qJh7dt5jqck

[@Loweene_Ancalimon]

emilyplayscello I'm a baroque cellist myself, I was wondering because you aren't very mobile while playing :)

[@manlyburns5772]

mr. zuckerburg, do you feel youre online harpsichord was influenced by the russians? do you play slavic tunes?

[@mazzeflunky9623]

sent here from school

[@altdelete7257]

I, alas, couldn't hear the harpsichord with these old ears. In a tutorial like this, shouldn't the cello have been at lower volume? Still, a useful and informative video. Thanks.

[@Muzikman127]

Jim Ventola if you're using phone (or even laptop) speakers they tend to apply compression to the sound which can squeeze out less "pointed" sounds, especially at higher volumes. You'll have much better results with external speakers or headphones.

[@DUNCZI]

IT was not continuo just chords. I use double chords when the solo is forte, and I frequently do figures avoide be so monotonic.

[@benfaulds6680]

Dylan is giving off some strong Mark Zuckerberg vibes

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

In order to make different Dynamics while being tied to realized Continuo than yeah you'll have to play it on Piano.

[@jeffersonfsoares]

Vivaldi sonatas ❤

[@renematei708]

sorry, but one mistake. Celli and Gambas can also play the chords and they did.

[@emilyplayscello]

+René Matei Much more common for gambas than cello, and you'd usually see this technique when there wasn't another chordal player like harpsichord or lute involved.

[@renematei708]

+emilyplayscello yes, I know. But they did. In Opera even still in the 19th century for the recitativi secchi.

[@emilyplayscello]

+René Matei Sure, but I think the general rule of chordal instrument (harpsichord, lute, theorbo) and sustained instrument (cello, gamba, bassoon, violone) still applies, and what you're describing is an exception to the rule. :)

[@LaPopliniere]

I think it depends also on what effect you want to apply to music :) ! For example, with an organ, a viola da gamba playing chords gives a very dramatic effect !

[@theforbiddencookie833]

Somehow his face reminds me of Louis from X Factor

[@mikezinn7212]

why the background music when you are talking!

[@KlavierKannNichtMehr]

I actually found the written out version more coherent, matter of taste I suppose.

[@fabianbamberg6555]

Cello playing and harpsichord improvisation in itself, great. Intonation, ooff....

[@DAEDONG_antiques]

🙂

[@andresmoncayo6843]

Finch from american pie!

[@joeyjojojr.shabadooiiiesq.3736]

I am assuming that this is an Italian harpsichord?

[@emilyplayscello]

+Joey Jo Jo Jr. Shabadoo III Esq. I believe it is!

[@dylansauerwald684]

Confirming: yes it is!

[@joeyjojojr.shabadooiiiesq.3736]

Very nice post. One, if not the only continuo practical demonstration and explanation out there.

[@tobiasstudtheol]

+Dylan Sauerwald Do you play a true or false inner outer and who build this harpsichord? Maybe you could tell me the builder and which original builder he reconstructed. My grandfather builded harpsichords too and I'm really interested in the theoretical practice of instrument building. Kind Regards from a german organist and harpsichord player.

[@dylansauerwald684]

This is a false inner-outer by Owen Daly. He is active on social media and has a lovely website: www.dalyharpsichords.com/

[@vincentbernhardt]

nice acoustics in this small room...!

[@presleymettler2565]

man was staring into the void

[@Vaggelis-uh6pc]

Viva Vivaldi ......!!!

[@tompommerel2136]

The 'enhanced' reverberation of the cello drowns out what the harpsichordist does on the repeats. Sorry Emily.

[@kasperrghat4318]

Orrhhh - friends! Too much reverb!

[@veot.2869]

Never enough reverb. This would have been performed in a church or hall back in that day most likely. So, that would have been there.

[@richardwilliams3472]

difficult to hear the harpsichord let alone hear the difference ! Some good stuff otherwise but too much talk.

[@omarshakarchi1394]

If it ain’t Baroque don’t fix it 🙂

[@sigurdm]

To much talk...🤔