What is basso continuo?
Q: What is basso continuo?
A: Basso continuo is a form of musical accompaniment used in the Baroque period that provides continuous bass.
Q: What instruments were used for basso continuo?
A: Basso continuo was played by an instrument providing chordal accompaniment such as a keyboard instrument or plucked string instrument such as the lute along with another bass instrument such as cello, violone, or bassoon.
Q: What was the usual keyboard instrument used for basso continuo?
A: The usual keyboard instrument for basso continuo was a harpsichord, but it could also be an organ, such as a small portative instrument.
Q: Did composers write out all the notes for the keyboard player in basso continuo?
A: No, it was not usual for composers to write out all the notes for the keyboard player in basso continuo. The composer normally just wrote the bass line which would be played by the left hand and doubled on the other bass instrument.
Q: What did the composer indicate in basso continuo?
A: The composer would indicate what the harmony should be (which chords should be played) by writing figures underneath the music in basso continuo.
Q: What does "continuo" mean?
A: "Continuo" is another name for basso continuo, meaning continuous bass.
Q: In what period was basso continuo commonly used?
A: Basso continuo was commonly used in the Baroque period.
