LilyPond Notation Reference: 2.7.3 Figured bass

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2.7.3 Figured bass

Figured bass notation can be displayed.

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Introduction to figured bass

LilyPond has support for figured bass, also called thorough bass or basso continuo:

<<
  \new Voice { \clef bass dis4 c d ais g fis}
  \new FiguredBass {
    \figuremode {
      < 6 >4 < 7\+ >8 < 6+ [_!] >
      < 6 >4 <6 5 [3+] >
      < _ >4 < 6 5/>4
    }
  }
>>

The support for figured bass consists of two parts: there is an input mode, introduced by \figuremode, that accepts entry of bass figures, and there is a context named FiguredBass that takes care of displaying BassFigure objects. Figured bass can also be displayed in Staff contexts.

\figures{ … } is a shortcut notation for \new FiguredBass { \figuremode { … } }.

Although the support for figured bass may superficially resemble chord support, it is much simpler. \figuremode mode simply stores the figures and the FiguredBass context prints them as entered. There is no conversion to pitches.

Entering figured bass

\figuremode is used to switch the input mode to figure mode. More information on different input modes can be found at Input modes.

In figure mode, a group of bass figures is delimited by < and >. The duration is entered after the >.

\new FiguredBass {
  \figuremode {
    <6 4>2
  }
}

Accidentals (including naturals) can be added to figures:

\figures {
  <7! 6+ 4-> <5++> <3-->
}

Augmented and diminished steps can be indicated:

\figures {
  <6\+ 5/> <7/>
}

A backward slash through a figure (typically used for raised sixth steps) can be created:

\figures {
  <6> <6\\>
}

Vertical spaces and brackets can be included in figures:

\figures {
  <[12 _!] 8 [6  4]>
}

Any text markup can be inserted as a figure:

\figures {
  <\markup { \tiny \number 6 \super (1) } 5>
}

Continuation lines can be used to indicate repeated figures:

<<
  {
    \clef bass
    e4 d c b,
    e4 d c b,
  }
  \figures {
    \bassFigureExtendersOn
    <6 4>4 <6 3> <7 3> <7 3>
    \bassFigureExtendersOff
    <6 4>4 <6 3> <7 3> <7 3>
  }
>>

In this case, the extender lines replace existing figures, unless the continuation lines have been explicitly terminated.

<<
  \figures {
    \bassFigureExtendersOn
    <6 4>4 <6 4> <6\! 4\!> <6 4>
  }
  {
    \clef bass
    d4 d c c
  }
>>

The table below summarizes the figure modifiers available.

Modifier	Purpose	Example
+, -, !	Accidentals
\+, /	Augmented and diminished steps
\\	Raised sixth step
\!	End of continuation line

Predefined commands

\bassFigureExtendersOn, \bassFigureExtendersOff.

Selected Snippets

Changing the positions of figured bass alterations

Accidentals and plus signs can appear before or after the numbers, depending on the figuredBassAlterationDirection and figuredBassPlusDirection properties.

\figures {
  <6\+> <5+> <6 4-> r
  \set figuredBassAlterationDirection = #RIGHT
  <6\+> <5+> <6 4-> r
  \set figuredBassPlusDirection = #RIGHT
  <6\+> <5+> <6 4-> r
  \set figuredBassAlterationDirection = #LEFT
  <6\+> <5+> <6 4-> r
}

Displaying figured bass

Figured bass can be displayed using the FiguredBass context, or in most staff contexts.

When displayed in a FiguredBass context, the vertical location of the figures is independent of the notes on the staff.

<<
  \relative c'' {
    c4 c'8 r8 c,4 c'
  }
  \new FiguredBass {
    \figuremode {
      <4>4 <10 6>8 s8
      <6 4>4 <6 4>
    }
  }
>>

In the example above, the FiguredBass context must be explicitly instantiated to avoid creating a second (empty) staff.

Figured bass can also be added to Staff contexts directly. In this case, the vertical position of the figures is adjusted automatically.

<<
  \new Staff = "myStaff"
  \figuremode {
    <4>4 <10 6>8 s8
    <6 4>4 <6 4>
  }
  %% Put notes on same Staff as figures
  \context Staff = "myStaff"
  {
    \clef bass
    c4 c'8 r8 c4 c'
  }
>>

When added in a Staff context, figured bass can be displayed above or below the staff.

<<
  \new Staff = "myStaff"
  \figuremode {
    <4>4 <10 6>8 s8
    \bassFigureStaffAlignmentDown
    <6 4>4 <6 4>
  }
  %% Put notes on same Staff as figures
  \context Staff = "myStaff"
  {
    \clef bass
    c4 c'8 r8 c4 c'
  }
>>

Predefined commands

\bassFigureStaffAlignmentDown, \bassFigureStaffAlignmentUp, \bassFigureStaffAlignmentNeutral.

Known issues and warnings

To ensure that continuation lines work properly, it is safest to use the same rhythm in the figure line as in the bass line.

<<
  {
    \clef bass
    \repeat unfold 4 { f16. g32 } f8. es16 d8 es
  }
  \figures {
    \bassFigureExtendersOn
    % The extenders are correct here, with the same rhythm as the bass
    \repeat unfold 4 { <6 4->16. <6 4->32 }
    <5>8. r16 <6>8 <6\! 5->
  }
>>
<<
  {
    \clef bass
    \repeat unfold 4 { f16. g32 } f8. es16 d8 es
  }
  \figures {
    \bassFigureExtendersOn
    % The extenders are incorrect here, even though the timing is the same
    <6 4->4 <6 4->4
    <5>8. r16 <6>8 <6\! 5->
  }
>>

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2.7.3 Figured bass

Introduction to figured bass

See also

Entering figured bass

Predefined commands

Selected Snippets

See also

Displaying figured bass

Predefined commands

See also

Known issues and warnings

LilyPond — Notation Reference v2.18.2 (stable-branch).