Figured bass

What is a figured bass?

-Shorthand method of composing

-a bass line with the intended harmonies indicated by figures rather than written out as chords, typical of continuo parts in baroque music.

Inversion?

earrangement of the top-to-bottom elements in an interval, a chord, a melody, or a group of contrapuntal lines of music. The ___________ of chords and intervals is utilized for various purposes, e.g., to create a melodic bass line or (with certain chords) to modulate to a new key.

Triads?

Triads are chords in their simplest, closest pattern. Triads contain three different notes, and each is a third apart.

Chords?

a group of (typically three or more) notes sounded together, as a basis of harmony.

No Figure

Triad

Root Position

Root in Bass Voice

Common Doubling: Root (bass); others possible

6

Triad

First Inversion

Third in Bass Voice

Common Doubling: Soprano; others possible

6/4

Triad

Second Inversion

Fifth in Bass Voice

Common Doubling: Fifth (bass)

7

Seventh

Root Position

Root in Bass Voice

Common Doubling: May omit fifth and double root

6/5

Seventh

First Inversion

Third in Bass Voice

Common Doubling: DO NOT OMIT/DOUBLE

4/3

Seventh

Second Inversion

Fifth in Bass Voice

Common Doubling: DO NOT OMIT/DOUBLE

4/2

Seventh

Third Inversion

Seventh in Bass Voice

Common Doubling: DO NOT OMIT/DOUBLE

4-3

Triad w/ Suspension

Root Position

Root in Bass Voice

Common Doubling: Root

Slash Through Number

Realize figure; use an accidental to raise the slashed interval one half step

Accidental Next To Number

Realize figure; apply accidental to indicated interval above the bass

Accidental Not Next to Number

Realize figure; apply accidental to the third above the bass

8-7

an octave above the bass will move down a step

6-5

a sixth above the bass will move down a step

4-3

a fourth the bass will move down a step