Reference

Alterations in Figured Bass

In case it is necessary to specify an alteration that doesn’t appear in the key signature:

• The alteration symbol is written before or after the number that corresponds to the affected note
• If the alteration symbol appears by itself, it applies to the 3rd above the bass
• The slash across a number may be used to raise a note by half step

Here we have various examples:

Here is an example from Bach's Cantata Ach, lieben Christen, seid getrost (BWV 114). We show the notes of the chords (not a good realization of the figured bass) at the treble staff. Note the use of the slash to indicate an F sharp at the first measure:

See: Baroque Chord Symbols, Triad Symbols, 7th-chord Symbols

© 2011 J. Rodríguez Alvira

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