figured bass: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowSpecialized/Technical
Quick answer
What does “figured bass” mean?
A musical notation system where a bass line is written with numbers and symbols beneath it, indicating the chords to be played above.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A musical notation system where a bass line is written with numbers and symbols beneath it, indicating the chords to be played above.
The foundational bass part in Baroque music, primarily for keyboard instruments, that provides harmonic structure through symbolic notation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage.
Connotations
Strongly associated with Baroque performance practice, continuo playing, and music theory pedagogy in both regions.
Frequency
Equally rare in both varieties, confined to music professionals and advanced students.
Grammar
How to Use “figured bass” in a Sentence
realize [the] figured bassstudy figured bassplay [from] figured bass notationVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “figured bass” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She learned to realise the figured bass fluently.
- The organist will figure the bass according to the period.
American English
- She learned to realize the figured bass fluently.
- The accompanist figured the bass line for rehearsal.
adverb
British English
- The bass was figured conventionally.
- The part was played figured correctly.
American English
- The bass was figured conventionally.
- The part was played figured correctly.
adjective
British English
- The figured-bass part was challenging for the students.
- He provided a figured-bass realisation.
American English
- The figured-bass part was challenging for the students.
- He provided a figured-bass realization.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Essential term in musicology, historically informed performance practice, and music theory curricula.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Core concept in Baroque music performance, harmonic analysis, and composition studies.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “figured bass”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “figured bass”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “figured bass”
- Confusing it with a 'bass figure' (a melodic pattern).
- Using it as a plural noun (e.g., 'figured basses').
- Misspelling as 'figure bass'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. 'Basso continuo' (or 'continuo') refers to the entire practice and ensemble part of harmonic accompaniment in Baroque music. 'Figured bass' is the specific notational system of numbers and symbols used to write the basso continuo part.
Yes, primarily in the performance of early music (Baroque, some Classical) and as a teaching tool in music theory for learning harmony and chord progression.
Traditionally, chordal instruments like the harpsichord, organ, lute, or theorbo. In modern practice, piano, guitar, or even a small ensemble might realize it.
In many historical conventions, certain intervals (especially root-position triads, indicated by the numbers 5 and 3) were so common they were often omitted, requiring the performer to know the implied harmony from the context and key.
A musical notation system where a bass line is written with numbers and symbols beneath it, indicating the chords to be played above.
Figured bass is usually specialized/technical in register.
Figured bass: in British English it is pronounced /ˌfɪɡəd ˈbeɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌfɪɡjərd ˈbeɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “realizing the figured bass”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of FIGURED BASS as a musical 'figure' puzzle: the numbers beneath the bass 'figure out' the chords.
Conceptual Metaphor
A musical recipe (the bass and numbers) from which the performer cooks up the full harmony.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of figured bass notation?