thorough bass

[beys]

noun Music.

figured bass.

continuo.

Origin of thorough bass

First recorded in 1655–65

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for thorough bass

Historical Examples of thorough bass

His regular teacher, in those days, was Stadtpfeifer Schmidt, who instructed him in piano and thorough-bass.
A Book of Burlesques
H. L. Mencken
The author says, The ultimate end and aim of thorough-bass should only be the glory of God and recreation of the mind.
Bach
Charles Francis Abdy Williams
Murer seems to know nothing of Neefe when he says that van den Eeden was Beethovens only teacher in thorough-bass.
The Life of Ludwig van Beethoven, Volume I (of 3)
Alexander Wheelock Thayer
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
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

British Dictionary definitions for thorough bass

thorough bass

noun

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012