Figured bass question
So I know the basics of figured bass and notating and understanding it, but what about cases where its notated underneath a rest? There's no bass note to build off of, so what does that mean for the player? Picture included for example.
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Comments
Keep in mind that figured bass is essentially an archaic way of notating chord progressions that are common in lead sheets and jazz music. It seems the composer (or editor) put the figured bass where the chord change actually occurs rather than only showing what directly affects the basso continuo.
In reply to Keep in mind that figured… by mike320
But how does the player know what chord to play. It says play a sixth and fifth above a rest? Look at the second best for example. it’s an e flat, and the notation says 8 and 6. Also, the key is C minor. So the player would play an octave E flat above, a C above, and a G above. That can be understood because there’s a bass note to build off of. With the rest there a 6 and 5 underneath. So the fifth and sixth of what note?
In reply to But how does the player know… by Beethoven Unleashed
I'm not an expert on realizing figured bass (the term for the continuo selecting which notes to play), but if there is a rest, then they play no note, even if there is a figured bass under it. From you picture, the next note would be played by the continuo and each instrument would select a note from the chord under the rest, which has a continuation line to the note.
Perhaps you can find a recording of the song in question and see if I'm correct.
In reply to I'm not an expert on… by mike320
Alright I suppose that makes sense. thanks.