Figured Bass Notation
Definition
Figured bass notation is a system of musical shorthand used in the Baroque period to indicate the chords and harmonies that should be played above a given bass note. It consists of numbers and symbols written below or above the bass line.
Analogy
Think of figured bass notation as a musical GPS. Just like how GPS gives you specific directions to reach your destination, figured bass notation provides musicians with precise instructions on which chords to play above the given bass note.
Related terms
V 8–7/6–5/4–3: This refers to a specific type of chord progression commonly found in figured bass notation. It involves moving from a dominant seventh chord (V7) to various inversions (8–7/6–5/4–3), creating tension and leading towards resolution.
Predominant Harmony: Predominant harmony refers to chords that are used to establish tonality and prepare for the arrival of the dominant chord. In figured bass notation, these chords often appear before the V 8–7/6–5/4–3 progression.
Harmonic Analysis: Harmonic analysis is the process of identifying and understanding the chords and harmonic progressions within a piece of music. Figured bass notation plays an important role in harmonic analysis by providing clues about chord voicings and inversions.
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