Thanks Don, Is this the same as the term "figured bass". It is an intriquing concept, esp to modern day inprovisonal players who seem to be found now in the Jazz, Pop, and Blues fields. And pipe organists of course. But the bass line is improvised. What a concept for modern day musicians, improvising to a written bass line. Apparently though, it was soup d'jour for our classical and baroque predecessors. Well this is indeed "off topic" unless it leads into preceding pipe organ tuning schemes, , Richard Moody ---------- > From: Don Mannino <dmannino@kawaius.com> > To: 'pianotech@ptg.org' > Subject: RE: the in tune continuo... > Date: Saturday, July 12, 1997 1:34 PM > > Richard, > > "Basso Continuo" is a term used for what was originally a simple bass > line written out in the score, sometimes with numeric 'chord > indicators' (my term) above the line which indicated the chord > position. This was a shorthand system similar to a current "Fake Book" > which will have the melody and chords only. > > In the Baroque period performers would fill out and improvise on the > continuo line as the piece was performed using harpsichord, cello, or > whatever instrument they played (organ? Clavichord?). Now days these > parts have usually been written out by someone for the performer, > although some skilled musicians can still read and improvise these > lines. > > Don Mannino >
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