What is a drone?

Hi,

There is a minimalist music called drone, what exactly is it? Wiki says it's a sustained or repeated note (bass note, mostly) while melody is being played. I can understand repeated note but what does it mean by sustained note being a drone? If C2 is the drone, does that mean C2 will be heard throughout the piece without a break?

Some insights would help.

Thanks,

Elysian

Composers such as La Mont Young will have written music that is referred to as drone music. I think that it basically is just a long note(s) that make up the entire work.mi Amy have to double check though.

One good example of a drone is the G-sharp played repeatedly in Chopin's Prelude in D-flat Major, Op. 28, No. 15. The drone doesn't have to be played throughout the "entire" piece, but just most of it. And as a reply to your post, elysian, a sustained note is just a note that's being held out for a long time, if I remember correctly.

Composers such as La Mont Young will have written music that is referred to as drone music. I think that it basically is just a long note(s) that make up the entire work.mi Amy have to double check though.

*i might have to double check though.

Stupid stupid spellcheck.