Bergamescas and Personal Buffoonery

Grounds in Context

Taught by Chris Morrongiello, it's a look at the basic themes and chord progressions from the Renaissance and Baroque periods. These "grounds" were used in much the same way that a 12-bar blues is played and improvised upon today. 
  
 The Bergamesca is one such melodic pattern that originates from the Bergamo region of Northern Italy, based on a progression of 1-4-5-1. Bergamo was known for the tradition of Comedia del Arte, baffoons, and fools, so the bright and jovial Bergamesca is associated with liveliness and jest.

On the final day, there was a participants' concert, who lute campers might try their musical skill before an audience. In a fit of late-night poor judgement, ather young lute player I'd befriended and I decided we should sign up to play something. Now she, although modest about her skill, had nine years of playing under her belt; I had about four months. We got the stage jitters together and felt a sheepish comradery as we rehearsed our piece. She played the melody and I strummed along, and appropriately, we played a Bergamesca. It seemed fitting for both its simplicity and for highlighting the younthful buffoonery with which we carried out the performance.