bass is a musical notation system that was widely used in the Baroque era (1600-1750) to indicate the

chords to be played by a keyboard player, harpist, or other bass-line instrument. The notation consists of
a bass line bass is a musical notation system that was widely used in the Baroque era (1600-1750) to
indicate the chords to be played by a keyboard player, harpist, or other bass-line instrument. The
notation consists of a bass line with figures written below or above each note of the bass, which
represent the harmonies to be played above the bass note.

Here are the main notation symbols used in figured bass:with figures written below or above each note
of the bass, which represent the harmonies to be played above the bass note.

Here are the main notation symbols used in figured bass:Figured bass is a musical notation system that
was widely used in the Baroque era (1600-1750) to indicate the chords to be played by a keyboard
player, harpist, or other bass-line instrument. The notation consists of a bass line with figures written
below or above each note of the bass, which represent the harmonies to be played above the bass note.

Here are the main notation symbols used in figured bass:

Numerals: The figures are numerals that indicate the intervals to be played above the bass note. For
example, a 5 above a bass note indicates that a fifth above the bass note should be played. A 6 indicates
a sixth, a 3 indicates a third, and so on.

Accidentals: Sharps, flats, and naturals are used to modify the intervals indicated by the numerals. For
example, a #5 indicates a sharp fifth above the bass note, while a b7 indicates a flat seventh above the
bass note.

Suspensions: A suspension occurs when a dissonant note is played against a stable harmony and then
resolved to a consonant note. A suspension is indicated by a figure that matches the dissonant note,
followed by a line and the figure of the consonant note. For example, a 4-3 suspension indicates that a
fourth above the bass note should be played, then held over while the bass note changes, and then
resolved to a third above the bass note.

Appoggiaturas: An appoggiatura is a non-chord tone that resolves to a chord tone. It is indicated by a

figure that matches the non-chord tone, followed by a slash and the figure of the chord tone. For
example, a 7/6 appoggiatura indicates that a seventh above the bass note should be played, then
resolved to a sixth above the bass note.
Figured bass notation also includes symbols for chord inversions, pedal points, and other musical effects.

Overall, figured bass is a highly flexible notation system that allowed performers in the Baroque era to
improvise and embellish the harmonies of a piece of music. While it is not as commonly used today, it
remains an important part of the history of Western music notation.