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An example of figured bass: only the bass part (left hand) with the figures would be written. The chords in the right hand show how it might be played. The figures give the intervals from the bass note up. If no figure is given the chord is a 5 3 chord (an ordinary triad)

Basso continuo is a form of musical accompaniment used in the Baroque period. It means "continuous bass".^[1]

Basso continuo, sometimes just called "continuo", was played by a keyboard instrument and another bass instrument such as cello, violone (an old form of double bass) or bassoon. The keyboard instrument was normally a harpsichord, or, if it was being played in a church, an organ.

It was not usual to write out all the notes for the keyboard player.^[1] The composer normally just wrote the bottom line which would be played by the left hand (usually with a lower 8th doubling) and the other bass instrument. The composer would indicate what the harmony should be (which chords should be played) by writing figures underneath the music. This is why it is called figured bass or sometimes thoroughbass. The continuo player would "realize" the figured bass i.e. they would improvise the chords shown. In 19th and early 20th century editions of old music the figured bass part was normally realized (written out) by the editor, while starting from the mid 20th century editions of ancient music printed the figured bass.

Basso continuo would accompany solo instruments and singers as well as instrumental groups.

Examples

Claudio Monteverdi:
Di misera, regina from
Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria
C. P. E. Bach: Sonata for flute & b. c. B-flat Wq. 125
J. B. Lully:
Air des Espagnoles from
Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme

References

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 Ammer, Christine (2004). "Basso continuo". The Facts on File Dictionary of Music. Retrieved 31 March 2012.

[ammer-1] 1.0 ^1.1 Ammer, Christine (2004). "Basso continuo". The Facts on File Dictionary of Music. Retrieved 31 March 2012.

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 Basso continuo, sometimes just called "continuo", was played by a [[keyboard instrument]] and another bass instrument such as [[cello]], [[violone]] (an old form of [[double bass]]) or [[bassoon]]. The keyboard instrument was normally a [[harpsichord]], or, if it was being played in a [[church]], an [[Organ (music)|organ]].
-It was not usual to write out all the notes for the keyboard player.<ref name="ammer"/>  The composer normally just wrote the bottom line which would be played by the left hand (usually with a lower 8th doubling), and by the other bass instrument.  The composer would indicate what the [[harmony]] should be (which chords should be played) by writing figures underneath the music.  This is why it is called '''figured bass''' or sometimes '''thoroughbass'''.  The continuo player will "realize" the figured bass, i.e. he will improvise the chords which are shown.  In 19th and early 20th century editions of old music the figured bass part was normally realized (written out) by the editor, while starting from the mid 20th century editions of ancient music print the figured bass.
+It was not usual to write out all the notes for the keyboard player.<ref name="ammer"/>  The composer normally just wrote the bottom line which would be played by the left hand (usually with a lower 8th doubling) and the other bass instrument.  The composer would indicate what the [[harmony]] should be (which chords should be played) by writing figures underneath the music.  This is why it is called '''figured bass''' or sometimes '''thoroughbass'''.  The continuo player would "realize" the figured bass i.e. they would improvise the chords shown.  In 19th and early 20th century editions of old music the figured bass part was normally realized (written out) by the editor, while starting from the mid 20th century editions of ancient music printed the figured bass.
 Basso continuo would accompany solo instruments and singers as well as instrumental groups.