Meaning of "dux" in music
In music, the term "dux" refers to the first voice or melody that enters in a fugue or canon. It is the initial melody that sets the theme for the composition. The dux is followed by one or more imitative melodies played in different voices, which are called the "comes" or followers. The followers must imitate the dux, either exactly or with some transformation of the rhythms and intervals ).
The word "fugue" comes from the Latin word "fuga," meaning "to chase," as each voice in a fugue chases the previous one. The dux and comes relationship is an essential element of the contrapuntal compositional technique used in canons and fugues.
It's important to note that the term "dux" can also have other meanings in different contexts, such as a military commander in the later Roman Empire However, in the context of music, it specifically refers to the first voice or melody in a fugue or canon.
In a canon or fugue, he term "dux" has been used to mean the first entering, or leading part. The "comes" is the second entering, or following part.
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