We'd like to use analytics cookies to understand which symbols people look up, so we know what to research next. They are not used for advertising and we set none of them unless you say yes. What we store.
Numbers under a bass line specifying the harmony above it.
Also known as: Thoroughbass, Basso continuo figures
Figured bass writes numbers beneath a bass line giving the intervals to be played above it, leaving the realisation to the keyboard player. It is a shorthand for improvised accompaniment and the direct ancestor of modern chord symbols.
Specifies the intervals to be sounded above a written bass note, using numerals beneath the bass staff.
Contexts: Music
Leaves voicing and figuration to the player, being a shorthand for improvised accompaniment rather than a complete text.
Contexts: Music
Uses accidentals beside or instead of numerals to alter a specified interval, so a lone sharp refers to the third above the bass.
Contexts: Music
Small numerals stacked vertically beneath a note on the bass staff, sometimes with accidentals beside them.