Definition

Noun: * A musical notation system: A method of writing harmony, primarily used in Baroque music and music theory instruction. It consists of a bass line (the lowest notes) written with numbers and symbols (figures) placed below or above the staff. These figures indicate the intervals (chords) that should be played above the given bass note by the accompanying instrument (e.g., harpsichord, organ, lute).

Usage

• In music instruction: Figured bass is used to teach harmony, chord progression, and voice leading.
  • The music theory class spent weeks learning how to realize a figured bass at the keyboard.
• In historical performance: It is a notation found in scores from the 17th and 18th centuries, requiring the performer to improvise or "realize" the harmony.
  • The continuo player's skill in interpreting the figured bass brought the Baroque sonata to life.

Advanced Usage

• "To realize a figured bass": The act of interpreting the numerical symbols and playing or writing out the full chords they represent.
  • Her final exam required her to realize a figured bass in four-part harmony.
• "Figured bass notation": The specific system of writing using figures with a bass line.
  • Bach's cantatas are excellent studies in figured bass notation.

Variants and Related Words

• Basso continuo (n): The continuous bass part in Baroque music, typically played by a bass instrument (like cello) and a chordal instrument (like harpsichord) that reads from the figured bass. While closely related, "basso continuo" refers to the performing ensemble and part, whereas "figured bass" is the specific notation system for that part.
• Thoroughbass (n): A synonym for figured bass, commonly used in historical contexts.
• Continuo (n): A common shortening of "basso continuo."

Synonyms

• Thoroughbass
• Bass continuo (in the context of its notation)

Related Terms (Not Phrasal Verbs)

• Realization (n): The performed or written-out chords resulting from interpreting a figured bass.
  • The harpsichordist's realization was both historically informed and creatively elegant.
• Figure (n): In this context, one of the numerical symbols (e.g., 6, 6/4, #7) used in the notation.
  • The figure '7' below the bass note indicates a dominant seventh chord should be played.

Noun

1. a bass part written out in full and accompanied by numbers to indicate the chords to be played