Continuo; Basso Continuo; Thorough Bass; Figured Bass
A continuo part, a regular feature of much
instrumental music in the 17th and 18th centuries, was played by a
keyboard-player or performer on a chordal instrument such as a
lute or harp, reading from the bass line of a composition,
generally with numbers to indicate the choice of chords, which
would then be filled out, with other melodic and contrapuntal
embellishments. The continuo or basso continuo was a necessary
part of instrumental music, but gradually fell into disuse towards
the end of the 18th century, while remaining an important element
in the accompaniment of operatic recitative.
Note: "thorough" (old spelling for "through") means the same
as "continuo",
i.e., continuing throughout the piece
A method of indicating an accompanying part by the bass
notes
only, together with figures designating the chief intervals and
chords
to be played above the bass notes. This stenographic system
was universally
used in the baroque period (1600-1750).
The thoroughbass practice of the Baroque grew out of the
improvisation
techniques of the 16th century. About 1600, motets were
occasionally
accompanied on the organ by a "bassus pro organo," a
separate bass
part from which the organist played the harmonies.
"Basso continuo" refers to the instruments used to play the
thoroughbass
(figured bass) part -- usually, in the Baroque period, an organ or
harpsichord
and a cello or "viola da gamba".