Basso continuo

An example of figured bass: only the bass part (left hand) with the figures would be written. The chords in the right hand show how it might be played. The figures give the intervals from the bass note up. If no figure is given the chord is a 5 3 chord (an ordinary triad)

Basso continuo is a form of musical accompaniment used in the Baroque period. It means "continuous bass".

Basso continuo, sometimes just called "continuo", was played by an instrument providing chordal accompaniment such as a keyboard instrument or plucked string instrument such as the lute along with another bass instrument such as cello, violone, or bassoon. The keyboard instrument was normally a harpsichord but could also be an organ, such as a small portative instrument.

It was not usual to write out all the notes for the keyboard player. The composer normally just wrote the bass line which would be played by the left hand and doubled on the other bass instrument. The composer would indicate what the harmony should be (which chords should be played) by writing figures underneath the music.

Examples

• Claudio Monteverdi:
  Di misera, regina from
  Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria

• C. P. E. Bach: Sonata for flute & b. c. B-flat Wq. 125

• J. B. Lully:
  Air des Espagnoles from
  Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme

Basso Continuo Media

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  A harpsichordist and a bassist play continuo for a small group of singers.