Figured Bass (noun)
Definition: Figured bass is a musical notation system used primarily in the Baroque period. It consists of a bass line written in full, with numbers and symbols placed below it to indicate which chords should be played above the bass notes. The numbers tell musicians what intervals to play, allowing for harmonic improvisation.
Usage Instructions: Figured bass is mainly used when playing keyboard instruments, such as the harpsichord or organ, and by other instruments that can play chords. When you see a piece of music written with figured bass, you should read the bass line and interpret the numbers to create the harmony.
Example: If you see a bass note written as 'C' with a '6' underneath it, you would play the note 'C' along with the note 'A' (which is a sixth above C) to create the chord.
Advanced Usage: In classical music, figured bass allows musicians to understand the harmonic structure of a piece without needing to see every single note. This skill is essential for accompaniment and for composers who want to convey their musical ideas succinctly.
Word Variants: The term "figured bass" does not have common variants, but related terms include: - Continuo: Another term often used in Baroque music that refers to a group of instruments playing the figured bass. - Basso continuo: A specific type of accompaniment that uses figured bass.
Different Meaning: "Figured" on its own can mean to calculate or to form an impression. For example, "I figured out the math problem."
Synonyms: There are no direct synonyms for "figured bass" in musical terminology, but you might hear "harmonic notation" in a broader context.
Idiom: There are no idioms specifically related to "figured bass," but the phrase "to figure out" means to solve a problem or understand something.
Phrasal Verb: Similar to the idiom, "figure out" can be used in sentences like "I need to figure out how to play this piece with figured bass."
Summary: Figured bass is a notation system that helps musicians interpret music by indicating chords to be played above a bass line.