Re: Extension line in figured bass notation

[Carl D. Sorensen]

On 12/24/08 8:19 AM, "Tim Yang" <address@hidden> wrote:

> In figured bass notation currently we can use \bassFigureExtendersOn
> to represent repeated chords. However, In many baroque music scores I
> encountered, often there are lines
> drawn without a figure preceding it.  I believe this means the root
> chord <5 3> is held,
> because this chord is omitted as default.  However, currently it seems
> there is no way
>  to draw a line without a figure preceding it.

This can be done by entering a figure that is made transparent.



> Also, according to the
> explanation I found for such extention line, it means a chord is held.
> Holding a chord and repeating it seems to be different concepts.

According to what I read from Kelley,
<http://www.robertkelleyphd.com/FiguredBass.pdf>, and as described in
Wikipedia as well, 
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basso_continuo#Basso_continuo>
the extension line means that notes in the figured bass are held from the
previous bass, even though the bass moves.  Repeating a figure with two
different bass notes gives two different chords; using an extension line
gives the same chord.  "Holding" in the sense of rhythm doesn't apply, as I
understand figured bass.

But I'm *NOT* an expert on figured bass, so don't take my word for it.

> Also
> in many places, when extension lines are drawn, I see a single line,
> not seperate lines drawn after each stacked figures.
> 
> Maybe there should be a way to simply express a "extension line"
> rather than writing repeated figures, or is there a way to draw such
> line right now?
>


You can make a single extension line by only repeating one of the figures.

\new FiguredBass {
  \figuremode {
     \bassFigureExtendersOn
      <6 4>4 <6>4
      \once \override BassFigure #'transparent = ##t
      <5 3>4 <5 3>
  }
}


HTH,

Carl