basso continuo

Basso continuo, also known as figured bass, is a foundational baroque music practice where a bass line is played continuously, often by a keyboard instrument and a bass instrument like a cello. The performer improvises harmony and chords based on numerical clues (figures) written beneath the bass notes. This creates a flexible, supportive harmonic framework that allows for expressive improvisation, forming the backbone of many baroque compositions. In essence, it provides a rhythmic and harmonic anchor, guiding the ensemble, while performers interpret the chordal structure to enrich the music’s texture.