Basso

As Printed on a Score

As a staff label Basso names either the bass voice (Basso, Bassi; B. in vocal scores) or, in Baroque and Classical orchestral scores, the bass line shared by cellos, basses and continuo. Inside a keyboard direction il basso means the lowest line of the texture — marc. il basso asks the left hand to project it. Whether the staff is vocal, instrumental or a piano direction decides which.

Abbreviations: B., Bs.

Also spelled: Bassi, Bass, Bass solo

How Composers Use It

As a voice, the bass sings from about E2 to E4 in bass clef; its lowest notes are dark but carry little weight against an orchestra, and it is strongest around the top of the staff. As a line, the bass is the harmonic foundation, which is why older scores could hand one Basso staff to several instruments at once. When a passage needs one colour only, say which instruments play it.

Example

Schubert, Im gegenwärtigen Vergangenes, D. 710, staff labels: “Basso I” and “Basso II”, below “Tenore I” and “Tenore II” — Italian part names for German male voices with piano.

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