continuo

basso continuo, also called continuo, thoroughbass, or figured bass, in music, a system of partially improvised accompaniment played on a bass line, usually on a keyboard instrument.

noun,plural con·tin·u·os. Music. a keyboard accompanying part consisting originally of a figured bass, which in modern scores is usually realized, and serving to provide or fill out the harmonic texture.

An example is C. P. E. Bach's Concerto in D minor for flute, strings and basso continuo. Examples of its use in the 19th century are rarer, but they do exist: masses by Anton Bruckner, Beethoven, and Franz Schubert, for example, have a basso continuo part for an organist to play.

The term basso continuo (English: continuo, figured bass, thoroughbass, throughbass; German: Generalbass, Generalbaß, bezifferte Bass; French: basse continue, basse chiffrée; Italian: basso seguente, basso continuo, basso numerato) refers to a type of accompaniment for which the composer provides only a bass line, over ...

One of the main characteristics of music from this time is that there's usually a backing group in the orchestra. It's called the continuo, and typically consists of a harpsichord and a bass instrument, like a cello.

Answer and Explanation: The basso continuo was important because it provided a strong, continuous bass line against which the melody was expressed. This kind of composition was innovative and rich, and it became standard between 1600 and the later 1700s.

Continual means happening without stopping, or happening again and again. The team has had almost continual success since last year. A continuous process or event continues for a period of time without stopping.

century a wide variety of continuo instruments was used, including lute, theorbo, harp, harpsichord, and organ. By the 18th century the practice was more standardized: the bass line would be realized on a keyboard instrument and reinforced by a monophonic bass instrument, such as a lute, viola da gamba, cello,…

An example is C. P. E. Bach's Concerto in D minor for flute, strings and basso continuo. Examples of its use in the 19th century are rarer, but they do exist: masses by Anton Bruckner, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Franz Schubert, for example, have a basso continuo part that was for an organist.

The phrase is often shortened to continuo, and the instrumentalists playing the continuo part are called the continuo group. A harpsichordist and a bassist play continuo for a small group of singers.

In modern performances of chamber works, the most common combination is harpsichord and cello for instrumental works and secular vocal works, such as operas, and organ and cello for sacred music. A double bass may be added, particularly when accompanying a lower-pitched solo voice (e.g., a bass singer).

The guitar was equally popular in Italy during the 17th century, both as a solo instrument and as a continuo instrument.