LilyPond Notation Reference: 2.7.3 Figured bass

### 2.7.3 Figured bass

Figured bass notation can be displayed.

#### 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.

#### See also

Music Glossary: figured bass.

Snippets: Chords.

#### 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
>     }

#### See also

Snippets: Chords.

Internals Reference: BassFigure, BassFigureAlignment, BassFigureLine, BassFigureBracket, BassFigureContinuation, FiguredBass.

#### 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`.

#### See also

Snippets: Chords.

Internals Reference: BassFigure, BassFigureAlignment, BassFigureLine, BassFigureBracket, BassFigureContinuation, FiguredBass.

#### 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->
>       }
>     >>

When using extender lines, adjacent figures with the same number in a different figure location can cause the figure positions to invert.

>     <<
>       { fis4 g g, e' }
>       \figures {
>         \bassFigureExtendersOn
>         <6 5>4 <5\! 4> < 5 _!> <6>
>       }
>     >>

To avoid this problem, simply turn on extenders after the figure that begins the extender line and turn them off at the end of the extender line.

>     <<
>       { fis4 g g, e' }
>       \figures {
>         <6 5>4 <5 4>
>         \bassFigureExtendersOn
>         < 5 _!>4 <6>
>         \bassFigureExtendersOff
>       }
>     >>

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