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basso continuo

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  • Emmett Ankunding
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Meaning of Basso Continuo in Music

Basso continuo, also known as continuo, thoroughbass, or figured bass, is a system of partially improvised accompaniment played on a bass line, usually on a keyboard instrument. It was commonly used during the Baroque period, from the 17th to the 18th centuries.

The term "basso continuo" literally means "continuous bass" or "through bass." It refers to the bass line and keyboard part that provide a harmonic framework for a piece of music. The basso continuo part was typically played by a keyboardist, such as an organist or harpsichordist, and sometimes accompanied by other bass instruments like cello, violone, or bassoon.

Role and Function of Basso Continuo

The basso continuo part in a composition served as a foundation for the harmonies and provided a structural framework for the music. It consisted of a bass line written out in musical notation, with figures or symbols placed above or below the bass notes to indicate the desired harmonies or chords to be played above the bass line.

The keyboardist playing the basso continuo had the freedom to improvise and create harmonies based on the given bass line and figures. This improvisatory element allowed for variation and flexibility in the accompaniment, making each performance unique.

The basso continuo part was an essential component of Baroque music, providing support and stability to the melodic and contrapuntal elements of the composition. It helped create a rich and harmonically diverse texture, enhancing the overall musical experience.

Instruments Used in Basso Continuo

The keyboard instrument, such as a harpsichord or organ, was the primary instrument used to play the basso continuo part. The keyboardist would use their left hand to play the bass line and their right hand to improvise harmonies based on the given figures or symbols.

In addition to the keyboard instrument, other bass instruments like cello, violone, or bassoon could be used to reinforce the bass line and provide a deeper, resonant sound to the accompaniment.

The exact instrumentation of the basso continuo part varied depending on the available resources and the preferences of the ensemble performing the music. Unlike more recent classical music, which specifies the instruments to be used, the basso continuo part was not written for a specific instrumental lineup.

Conclusion

Basso continuo is a system of partially improvised accompaniment played on a bass line, usually on a keyboard instrument. It was commonly used during the Baroque period and provided a harmonic framework for compositions. The keyboardist playing the basso continuo had the freedom to improvise harmonies based on the given bass line and figures. The basso continuo part was an essential element of Baroque music, contributing to its rich and diverse texture.

A characteristic of Baroque music consisting of a bass part that runs continuously throughout a work, also called thoroughbass. If it is figured to indicate the harmony, it is called figured bass.

Popular questions related to basso 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.

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.

a bass singer 1. : a bass singer. especially : an operatic bass. 2. : a low deep voice.

Basso continuo (It. for “continuous bass” or “thoroughbass”) is essentially a chordal version of first-species counterpoint. However, instead of composing a single line above a cantus firmus, one composes a succession of chords (performed in the right hand) above a bass line (performed in the left hand).

Borrowed from Italian basso continuo (literally “continuous bass”).

A basso continuo is a part given to an instrument that plays a bass line and chords to accompany a melody. The performer will sometimes improvise and decorate what they play. In the Baroque period the instruments would have been the harpsichord, bass viol, organ or lute.

use in musical performance century a wide variety of continuo instruments was used, including lute, theorbo, harp, harpsichord, and organ.

A continuo is an accompanying part used in Baroque music, which provides a bassline for the other parts and adds harmony.

Basso continuo is a form of musical accompaniment commonly used in the Baroque period. It means "continuous bass". Basso continuo, sometimes just called "continuo", was played by a keyboard instrument and another bass instrument such as cello, violone (an old form of double bass) or bassoon.

bass part con·​tin·​uo kən-ˈtin-yə-ˌwō -ˈti-nə- plural continuos. : a bass part (as for a keyboard or stringed instrument) used especially in baroque ensemble music and consisting of a succession of bass notes with figures that indicate the required chords. called also figured bass, thoroughbass.

Basso Continuo literally means 'continuous bass', or to use the old English version, 'through bass'. And that, in essence, is what it is. It's a feature of Western musical harmony that it thinks from the bottom up.

3 Different Types of Harmony in Music

  • Diatonic harmony. This is music where the notes and chords all trace back to a master scale.
  • Non-diatonic harmony. Non-diatonic harmony introduces notes that aren't all part of the same master scale.
  • Atonal harmony.

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