comes
Comes (noun) means in a fugue, the melodic answer that responds to the opening theme (the "dux"), usually entering in a different voice a few beats later. Example: “The comes enters in the alto line, echoing the opening subject a fifth higher.”
How to Use Comes
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA specialist music-theory term for the "answering" line that follows and imitates the main theme in a fugue.
You will only meet this word in the context of classical music theory, specifically fugues (Bach is the classic example).
Trace the full origin ↓Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ enters in the alto line, echoing the opening subject a fifth higher.
Etymology
From Latin comes, "a companion" — the same root that gives us "count" (the noble title) and the French comte and conte.
Synonyms
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does “comes” mean?
The word “comes” means in a fugue, the melodic answer that responds to the opening theme (the "dux"), usually entering in a different voice a few beats later. In plain terms, a specialist music-theory term for the "answering" line that follows and imitates the main theme in a fugue.
How do you pronounce “comes”?
“Comes” is pronounced KOH-meez (/ˈkəʊmiːz/ in IPA).
How do you use “comes” in a sentence?
Here is “comes” used in a sentence: “The comes enters in the alto line, echoing the opening subject a fifth higher.”
What part of speech is “comes”?
“Comes” is a noun.
Where does the word “comes” come from?
The word “comes” comes from Latin. From Latin comes, "a companion" — the same root that gives us "count" (the noble title) and the French comte and conte.
Is “comes” a common word?
“Comes” is a very common word in modern English.
What is the difference between the comes and the dux in a fugue?
In a fugue, the 'dux' (Latin for leader) is the opening statement of the subject, the main theme. The 'comes' (companion) is the answer that follows, imitating the subject in another voice, usually a few beats later and in a different key. Dux leads, comes replies.
Is the comes the same as the fugal answer?
Yes. 'Comes' is the traditional Latin name for the answer in a fugue, the voice that responds to the opening subject by restating it, typically at a different pitch. Music theorists use 'comes' and 'answer' interchangeably, with 'answer' being the more common English term today.
Why does the comes enter in a different key?
The comes usually answers a fifth higher, or a fourth lower, than the subject, entering around the dominant. This shift sets up a satisfying tension between the two keys and creates the interweaving, imitative texture that defines a fugue. The answer may be adjusted slightly, a tonal answer, to fit the harmony.