Topmusicanswers
A round (also called a perpetual canon [canon perpetuus] or infinite canon) is a musical composition, a limited type of canon, in which a minimum of three voices sing exactly the same melody at the unison (and may continue repeating it indefinitely), but with each voice beginning at different times so that different ...
- What is the difference between a round and a canon?
- What is a canon in singing?
- What is an example of a canon in music?
- How are canon songs performed?
What is the difference between a round and a canon?
A canon is a piece of voices (or instrumental parts) that sing or play the same music starting at different times. A round is a type of canon, but in a round each voice, when it finishes, can start at the beginning again so that the piece can go “round and round”.
What is a canon in singing?
Canon, musical form and compositional technique, based on the principle of strict imitation, in which an initial melody is imitated at a specified time interval by one or more parts, either at the unison (i.e., the same pitch) or at some other pitch.
What is an example of a canon in music?
Repeating canons in which all voices are musically identical are called rounds—"Row, Row, Row Your Boat" and "Frère Jacques" are popular examples. An accompanied canon is a canon accompanied by one or more additional independent parts that do not imitate the melody.
How are canon songs performed?
Pachelbel's Canon uses a musical form—the canon—that is similar to that of the French folk song “Frère Jacques” though more complicated in design. The piece begins with one melody in the ground bass—typically performed by a cello and a harpsichord or organ.
