Figured bass popover

The following tables contain examples of what you can enter into the figured bass popover to input the different possible figured bass figures, including alterations and suspensions.

You can open the figured bass popover in Write mode in any of the following ways when either a note is selected or the caret is active:

  • Press Shift-G.

  • Choose Write > Create Figured Bass.

  • Click Figured Bass in the Notations toolbox.

When inputting global figured bass, the icon on the left-hand side of the popover matches the corresponding button in the Notations toolbox. When inputting local figured bass, the icon on the left-hand side of the popover appears smaller and includes the icon for a solo player.

Figure 1. Figured bass popover with an example entry for a global figure
Figure 2. Figured bass popover with an example entry for a local figure
Figure 3. Figured Bass button in the Notations toolbox

Figures and suspensions

Type of figure

Example popover entry

Figures (1-19)

1, 2, 3 and so on up to 19

Figures determined by chord symbols

Dorico Pro automatically converts chord symbols, as you would enter into the chord symbols popover, into correct figured bass.

Em7, Amaj7, or G/B and so on

Hold duration

d=2 (number of quarter notes) or d=1/2n (fraction of bass note duration)

Multiple figures

Tip

You can separate figures with commas to remove ambiguity.

6#42 or 6,#4,2

Hide figures

<3> or {3}

Suspensions

4->3, 4_3, or 4~3

Suspension duration

r=2 (number of quarter notes) or r=1/2n (fraction of bass note duration)

Hold and suspension durations both specified

In this example, the hold duration is a whole note, the suspension duration is a half note, and the bass note at this position is a whole note.

4->3d=4r=2, 4->3,d=4,r=2, 4->3d=1nr=1/2n, or 4->3,d=1n,r=1/2n

Follow Engraving Options for this figure only

Note

Must be at the start of the popover entry.

R, r, V, v, or ?

Follow input literally for this figure only

Note

Must be at the start of the popover entry.

O, o, or !

This list is not comprehensive. It is intended to illustrate how you can structure your entry to input different tuplets.

Note

Unless you include an entry for Follow input literally at the start of your popover entry or have changed your figured bass input setting to Follow input literally, the appearance of resulting figures depends on the options you have set on the Figured Bass page in Engrave > Engraving Options.

Accidentals and alterations

Type of accidental/alteration

Popover entry

Sharp

Tip

For raised thirds, you can enter just without the number.

# or s

Flat

b or f

Natural

N or n

Double sharp

x, ##, or ds

Triple sharp

x#, #x, ###, or ts

Double flat

bb or db

Triple flat

bbb or tb

Raise figure by a half-step (semitone)

+

Lower figure by a half-step (semitone)

-

Diminished figure

d

Unaltered figure

u