thorough bass

[ beys ]

/ beɪs /

continuo.

Origin of thorough bass

First recorded in 1655–65

Herr Neefe has also given him, so far as his other occupations permit, some introduction to the study of thorough-bass.

Beethoven: A Memoir (2nd Ed.) |Elliott Graeme
What counter-part could you expect to your music, blockhead, but a thorough-bass of bastinadoes?

The History of Don Quixote de la Mancha |Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra
Murer, after speaking of Pfeiffer, continues as follows: Van den Eeden remained his only teacher in thorough-bass.

The Life of Ludwig van Beethoven, Volume I (of 3) |Alexander Wheelock Thayer
The bass part is intended to be figured by the thorough-bass system to indicate the harmonies.

How Music Developed |W. J. Henderson

So far as his duties permitted, Herr Neefe has also given him instruction in thorough-bass.

The Life of Ludwig van Beethoven, Volume I (of 3) |Alexander Wheelock Thayer

thorough bass

/ (beɪs) /

Also called: basso continuo, continuo (esp during the baroque period) a bass part underlying a piece of concerted music. It is played on a keyboard instrument, usually supported by a cello, viola da gamba, etcSee also figured bass
(as modifier)a thorough-bass part