obligato
Essential melodic line
Obligato is a variant spelling of obbligato, a musical term for an instrumental part that is essential to a piece and cannot be omitted.
The part typically accompanies a vocal line or solo instrument: a violin obligato.
The term comes from Italian, where the double-b spelling is standard, making obbligato the more common form in musical contexts.
Operatic solo piece
- recitativeSpeechlike operatic singing
- cantataVocal work with instruments
- oratorioUnstaged sacred choral work
- harpsichordPlucked-string keyboard instrument
organ · cello · violin · flute · oboe · bassoon · continuo · da capo
Utterly required, irreplaceable
- integralAntiderivative or crucial component
- necessaryIndispensable, cannot omit
- requiredNeeded by rule
- mandatoryRequired by rule
requisite · obligatory · non-optional · prescribed · compulsory
Performance by one
Simultaneous independent melodies
- solo instrumentSingle unaccompanied player's tool
- melodic lineSequence of pitches forming tune
- ostinatoRepeating musical figure
- descantOrnamental upper melody
bassline · fill · interweaving
aria
Operatic solo piece
- recitativeSpeechlike operatic singing
- cantataVocal work with instruments
- oratorioUnstaged sacred choral work
harpsichord · organ · cello · violin · flute · oboe · bassoon · continuo · da capo · chamber music
indispensable
Utterly required, irreplaceable
- integralAntiderivative or crucial component
- necessaryIndispensable, cannot omit
- requiredNeeded by rule
mandatory · requisite · obligatory · non-optional · prescribed · compulsory
solo
Performance by one
counterpoint
Simultaneous independent melodies
- solo instrumentSingle unaccompanied player's tool
- melodic lineSequence of pitches forming tune
- ostinatoRepeating musical figure
descant · bassline · fill · interweaving
obligatoad libitum
Without restriction or limit
ad lib · optional · facultative · dispensable · omissible
obligatoimprovised
Created without prior planning
spontaneous · unscripted · cadenza · extemporized · extemporaneous
- social obligationRequired interpersonal duty
- no obligationNo requirement to act
- moral obligationEthics-based required action
- family obligationExpected service to relatives
- military obligationRequired service in forces
- contractual obligationEnforceable promise in agreement