Music A-Level
Drone
What Drone means in Music A-Level, as defined for AQA.
Definitions of Drone
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Reference: AQA
A sustained or continuously repeated pitch, or set of pitches, that provides a harmonic foundation throughout a section or an entire piece.
A sustained or continuously repeated note or chord, typically in the lower register, underpinning the musical texture.
A continuous accompaniment, typically played on a tambura, which accompanies the soloist during the alap.
Topics that use Drone
- Area of study 3: Music for media - Musical elements (AQA A-Level)
- Area of study 6: Contemporary traditional music - Musical elements (AQA A-Level)
- Area of study 7: Art music since 1910 - Musical elements (AQA A-Level)
Related terms
- Polyrhythm
- Reverb
- Texture and density
- Cross-rhythm
- Dorian mode
- Extended instrumental techniques
- Harmonic ambiguity
- Harmonic language
Using Drone in the exam
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