- In music, a canon is a contrapuntal (counterpoint-based) compositional technique that employs a melody with one or more imitations of the melody played after a given duration (e.g., quarter rest, one measure, etc.). The initial melody is called the leader (or dux), while the imitative melody, which is played in a different voice, is called the follower (or comes). The follower must imitate the leader, either as an exact replication of its rhythms and intervals or some transformation thereof. Repeating canons in which all voices are musically identical are called rounds—familiar singalong versions of “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” and “Frère Jacques” that call for each successive group of voices to begin the same song a bar or two after the previous group began are popular examples.
- James Madison (allthetropes.org)
James Madison was one of the Founding Fathers. He presided over the War of 1812, wherein much of Washington D.C. was burnt down; fortunately for him this happened after he had already been elected to a second term. Many things were named after him, including New York City’s Madison Square Garden. Also, there are brands of ice cream and snack cakes named after his wife, Dolley (a famous hostess).