Figured Bass

Figured bass is a (now very old-fashioned) notation which defines harmonies over a bass note, so that a bass line can be improvised (basso continuo). ^*

The seven (diatonic) examples shown here are triads in root position, 1st, and 2nd inversion, and sevenths in root position, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd inversions:

In this illustration the bass note is C for each example, and the 'modern' names of the chords are shown above the staff.

It should be noted that:

• With figured bass, the harmony notes are not usually drawn; only the bass note is shown.
• The figured bass below the staff, and the chord names shown for comparison above, come from different eras: they are not normally seen together!

The figured bass is rarely written out in full as shown above; usually the symbols are abbreviated, the full meaning being clear to the experienced player.

The symbols in the above illustration would more normally be shown as:

• Again, of the notes, only the bass is usually drawn.
• The modern chord names, retained here for comparison, would not normally be shown.
• Notice in particular that the 3rd is in most cases omitted, and that the whole symbol is omitted for a triad in root position (making it the default option for the player).

Chromatic alterations

The above examples are all diatonic harmonies, but figured bass symbols may also include chromatic alterations.

For example:

And again the figured bass symbols would normally be shown in abbreviated form:

Again only the bass note would be shown, and the chord names shown for comparison are an anachronism.

If the 3rd is altered, often only the chromatic modification is shown.