Basse

As Printed on a Score

In French vocal and choral scores, labels the bass staff (Basse, plural Basses). In a direction it means the bass line of any texture: la basse en dehors asks a pianist to bring the bass out, and basse chiffrée or basse continue is the figured bass. Do not confuse it with Contrebasse, the double bass.

How Composers Use It

As a voice, the lowest male part, comfortable in choral writing from about the F an octave and a fifth below middle C up to the D or E above middle C. As a direction, it is a reminder that the bass line is a melody in its own right and sometimes needs to lead. In Baroque scores Basse continue labels the continuo line that harpsichord, organ and bass instruments read together.

Example

Satie, Socrate, “Mort de Socrate”, piano, m. 1: the movement opens marked “La basse en dehors”, with “m.g.” (left hand) and p — bring the bass line forward from the first bar.

Related Terms