FIGURED BASS, or THOROUGHBASS. A system of musical notation in which words are denoted by placing figures over the bass note. It was first used in Italy during the latter part of the sixteenth century. The original object was to furnish the organist with a simple means of recognizing at a glance the necessary harmonic foundations in large choral or instrumental works. (The arrangement of the different parts in a score (q.v.) was not known then.) Playing from figured bass was a great art. because this system of notation indicates only the chord or its inversions, but nothing as to the leading of the various voices. To-day the art is not called for, as modern scores are written out in detail, and the figured bass in scores of the older masters (Bach, Handel) has been written out by eminent masters. (See FRANZ.) Figured bass plays an im portant part in the study of harmony, as all ex ercises are written in figured bass notation. Only
thehass note is written. if no figure appears above the note, the ordinary triad is meant ; the figure 6 denotes the first, 1- the second inversion. The dominant seventh is expressed by 7: its inver sions by r, 4, 2 respectively. Suspensions are expressed by two figures, the first indicating the dissonance, the second its resolution. The in terval of the third is not written out unless chro matically altered. Chromatic alterations are denoted by the usual signs placed before or :Hier the figure 3tt, 51), Glq, Sharps are also indicated by a line through the ligure,$. In figured bass all intervals are vomited from the bass note. not the fundamental (q. v.). For further information or complete exposition of the theory of liguwd bass, consult Richter, Manual of Harmony, I rails lated by 'Morgan (London, ISSO).