Today we will tell you what baritone is in music. A definition of this term will be presented below. The word comes from the Greek barus, that is, heavy, low, and also tonos - tone.
Between Tenor and Bass
First of all, answering the question of what is baritone, it should be said that this is a male voice. It is medium in height between bass and tenor. He combines the grandeur and strength of the former with the mobility and brilliance of the latter. There are lyrical (softer) and dramatic (courageous) baritone. You can also classify this phenomenon by height and timbre. There are bass and tenor baritone. Both voices have their own role in the choir. The first plays the part of the bass, and the second is sometimes reckoned with the second lower tenors.
Starting with Mozart's Don Giovanni, composers often play the main parts in baritone operas. Among the most significant performances of the lyrical voice: Don Giovanni, Valentin from Faust, Wolfram from Tannhäuser, Daland from The Flying Dutchman, Amonasro and Rigoletto from Aida, Bolkonsky from War and Peace. Dramatic baritone was shown by Prince Igor, Eugene Onegin and Demon.
The part for this voice is announced in a treble or bass clef. This mark is mainly used for solo performances. In choral antiques, such parts were recorded using baritone keys.
Viola
Now we will discuss what baritone is in music. This is a
string bow instrument. He represents the viola group. It has resonant strings. The prototype of baritone is the viola bastard. In size, the instrument approaches the cello.
It resembles a viola da gamba in shape. The lower flat deck in the upper half is slightly cut. Resonator holes are made in the form of snakes. There are 2 or 4. There are 6 or 7 instrument strings in the instrument. They are tuned differently. Most often similar to a bass viola. Resonant strings can be in the range of 9–28. Most often, there are from 14 to 18. Their setting, as a rule, is diatonic. They are located above the upper deck. Partially under the bar. Due to the large number of strings, the head and neck are very wide. The performer must hold the instrument, like a gamba, between the calves of the legs.
They also played on resonant strings. They were pinched with the thumb on the left hand. The sound of the instrument was defined as pleasant and attractive. Baritone is not widely used. Since the mid-18th century, it gained some popularity in Austria and southern Germany. Haydn wrote a large number of works for baritone. Prominent performers: V. Hauschka, A. Lidl, J. Weigl. In the 19th century, the Belgian cellist Jacobs tried to revive the playing of this instrument.
Wind Parts
We continue the conversation about what baritone is. The so-called mouthpiece instrument, which refers to wind instruments. He appeared in the 19th century. It usually has an oval shape. The scale is relatively wide, and the mouthpiece is cup-shaped. Baritone has three gates. A fourth is often added to them, which lowers by a clean quart. The sound of the baritone is noble-singing, full and courageous, especially in the middle and upper registers. In a brass band, this musical instrument is often entrusted with the main melody - the counterpoint.
Dictionaries
Now we will discuss what baritone is according to the Efremova dictionary. This source claims that we are talking about a male voice or a wind or string musical instrument. In addition, they can call a singer with the corresponding vocal data. Now let's see what baritone is according to Ozhegov's dictionary. This source supplements that we are talking about a special copper musical instrument.