thorough bass

3 definitions found

thorough bass - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Thorough bass \Thor"ough bass`\ (Mus.)
     The representation of chords by figures placed under the
     base; figured bass; basso continuo; -- sometimes used as
     synonymous with harmony.
     [1913 Webster]

  Bass \Bass\ (b[=a]s), n. [F. basse, fr. bas low. See Base, a.]
     [1913 Webster]
     1. A bass, or deep, sound or tone.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Mus.)
        (a) The lowest part in a musical composition.
        (b) One who sings, or the instrument which plays, bass.
            [Written also base.]
            [1913 Webster]
  
     Thorough bass. See Thorough bass.
        [1913 Webster]

thorough bass - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  thorough bass
      n 1: a bass part written out in full and accompanied by numbers
           to indicate the chords to be played [syn: figured bass,
           basso continuo, continuo, thorough bass]