thorough bass

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thorough bass

A musician reads the thorough bass while playing the harpsichord.

Definition

Noun 1. A system of musical notation: A method of writing music, especially common in the Baroque period (approximately 1600-1750), where a bass line is written out in full. This bass line is accompanied by numbers (called figured bass) that indicate the chords (harmonies) to be played above it by a keyboard or lute player. The performer uses these numbers as a guide to improvise or "realize" the full harmony.

Usage
  • Historical/Technical Context: The term is used almost exclusively when discussing music theory, music history, and the performance practice of Baroque music.
  • Core Function: It provides the harmonic framework for a piece, allowing the performer some freedom in the exact realization of the chords while ensuring the fundamental progression is correct.
Examples
  • "The composer provided only a thorough bass for the harpsichordist, who was expected to realize the harmony during the performance."
  • "Learning to realize a thorough bass is an essential skill for any student of Baroque music."
  • "The cello plays the written bass line, while the numbers in the thorough bass tell the organist which chords to build above it."
Advanced Usage
  • Synonym: The term figured bass is often used interchangeably with "thorough bass," though "figured bass" can specifically refer to the system of numbers itself, while "thorough bass" often implies the entire notated part (the bass line plus the figures).
  • The Realization: The act of creating music from a thorough bass part is called realizing the figured bass or continuo playing. The performer (often on harpsichord, organ, or lute) who does this is called the continuo player.
Variants and Related Words
  • Basso continuo (n): This is the Italian term for the same concept and is very commonly used, especially to refer to the instrumental group (e.g., harpsichord and cello) that plays the thorough bass part.
  • Continuo (n): A shortened, common form of "basso continuo."
  • Figured bass (n): As mentioned, a near-synonym, sometimes emphasizing the numerical notation system.
  • Realization (n): The actual music played by the continuo performer based on the thorough bass notation.
Synonyms
  • Figured bass
  • Basso continuo
  • Continuo (in context)
Related Concepts
  • Harmony: The chords and chord progressions indicated by the thorough bass.
  • Improvisation: The element of spontaneous creation involved in realizing a thorough bass.
  • Baroque music: The historical period most associated with this practice.
thorough bass

A musician reads the thorough bass while playing the harpsichord.

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

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