obbligato
Indispensable musical line
Obbligato is a musical term for an instrumental part that is essential to a piece and cannot be omitted—the opposite of optional accompaniment.
A violin obbligato weaves through a vocal line as an integral countermelody.
The term comes from Italian meaning "obligatory." Also spelled obligato.
In looser use, obbligato describes any persistent accompanying element: the obbligato of traffic noise outside the window.
Simultaneous independent melodies
- obligatoRequired musical accompaniment
- continuoBaroque harmonic foundation
- descantOrnamental upper melody
- basslineLow-register musical foundation
interlude · duet · trio · quartet · ensemble · soloist · aria · recitative
Utterly required, irreplaceable
- integralAntiderivative or crucial component
- mandatoryRequired by rule
- requisiteSomething absolutely needed
- compulsoryRequired, not optional
Play with bow
- pizzicatoString-plucking technique
- legatoUnbroken musical phrasing
- staccatoShort, separated note style
- marcatoEmphasized, detached playing
tenuto · spiccato · portamento · glissando · rubato · fortepiano · jeté
In singing manner
- dolceSoft, melodious instruction
- maestosoStately musical direction
- andanteWalking-pace tempo marking
- adagioSlow musical tempo
vivace · allegro · crescendo · diminuendo · fortissimo · pianissimo
counterpoint
Simultaneous independent melodies
- obligatoRequired musical accompaniment
- continuoBaroque harmonic foundation
- descantOrnamental upper melody
bassline · interlude · duet · trio · quartet · ensemble · soloist · aria · recitative · cadenza
indispensable
Utterly required, irreplaceable
arco
Play with bow
- pizzicatoString-plucking technique
- legatoUnbroken musical phrasing
- staccatoShort, separated note style
marcato · tenuto · spiccato · portamento · glissando · rubato · fortepiano · jeté
cantabile
In singing manner
adagio · vivace · allegro · crescendo · diminuendo · fortissimo · pianissimo
- melodytune, melody, theme, air, phrase
- music termsmelody, tempo, rhythm, harmony, beat
- musical notationforte, score, piano, sheet music, notation
- accompanimentbacking band, backing track, accompanist, piano accompaniment, guitar accompaniment
- orchestra termsviolin section, bass section, trumpet section, horn section, trombone section
obbligatoad libitum
Without restriction or limit
ad lib · optional · facultative · omissible · dispensable
obbligatoimprovised
Created without prior planning
extemporized · improvisatory · spontaneous · free · unscripted
obliging, obligation, oblige, obligatory, obliged, nonobligatory