Figured Bass

Definition

Figured bass is a musical notation system that indicates the intervals above the bass note that should be played, primarily used in the Baroque period for keyboard instruments and continuo parts. It allows performers to understand harmonic structure while providing the flexibility to interpret and embellish chords. This system connects closely with harmony, voice leading, chord inversions, and the use of diatonic chords in compositions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Figured bass notation consists of numbers and symbols placed below the bass line, indicating which intervals to play above that bass note.
2. It was essential during the Baroque period, allowing musicians to improvise harmonies based on a written bass line.
3. The numbers in figured bass can represent both intervals and specific chords, with certain figures indicating common triads and seventh chords.
4. Performers must interpret figured bass in context, as the same figures can suggest different harmonizations depending on the surrounding musical material.
5. Understanding figured bass helps musicians grasp complex harmonic relationships and voice leading practices in Western classical music.

Review Questions

• How does figured bass facilitate voice leading in a harmonic context?
  • Figured bass facilitates voice leading by providing clear indications of how to construct chords above a given bass note while considering smooth transitions between voices. By outlining specific intervals to play, it guides performers in maintaining proper voice leading principles, such as avoiding parallel fifths and octaves. This attention to voice leading allows musicians to create cohesive harmonies that blend well together, enhancing the overall sound of the music.
• Discuss how figured bass relates to seventh chord inversions and their realization in performance.
  • Figured bass directly informs how musicians realize seventh chord inversions by indicating which notes of the chord should be emphasized based on their placement below the bass line. Each inversion has its own specific figures: for example, a '7' indicates a root position seventh chord, while '6' suggests first inversion. Understanding these figures allows performers to interpret and execute chord progressions accurately, creating rich harmonic textures essential to Baroque music.
• Evaluate the impact of figured bass on the development of harmonic language in Western classical music.
  • Figured bass significantly impacted the development of harmonic language by promoting improvisation and creativity among musicians during the Baroque era. This practice encouraged composers to experiment with harmonic structures while maintaining a framework for performance, resulting in richer textures and more complex harmonies. Over time, as this practice evolved into more standardized harmonic notation, it laid foundational principles for later styles, influencing how harmony was approached in Classical and Romantic music periods.

Related terms

Continuo: A form of musical accompaniment commonly used in Baroque music, where a keyboard instrument or lute provides harmonic support while following the figured bass notation.

Chord Inversion:

The arrangement of the notes in a chord where the root is not the lowest note; figured bass can indicate these inversions through specific symbols.

Diatonic Harmony: A system of harmony that uses chords derived from the notes of a specific scale, which is crucial for understanding how figured bass is applied within a tonal context.