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The continuous bass line and its harmonic realization that form the foundation of Baroque ensemble music. Typically performed by a keyboard instrument (harpsichord, organ) and a bass instrument (cello, bassoon).
Labels the bottom staff of Baroque scores and parts — “Basso continuo”, “Continuo”, “B.c.”, or the instruments themselves (“Organo”, “Cembalo”, “Violoncello e Basso”). Figures above or below its notes give the harmony; “tasto solo” over a passage tells the keyboard to play the bass line alone until chords return.
Understanding continuo practice means understanding the Baroque harmonic world. The bass line IS the harmony. When composing in Baroque style, write the bass first, add figures, and let the upper voices flow from the harmonic implications of the bass.
Corelli's trio sonatas — the basso continuo provides the harmonic foundation while two violins weave melodic lines above.
Basso continuo is one of 1760 terms in the Gradus musical dictionary: the words, abbreviations and instrument names that appear in printed scores, plus the vocabulary composers use to talk about them.
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