Topic #33: Figured bass in MuseScore

In this MuseTube lesson, we wrap up the mini-series dedicated to text elements in MuseScore. You’ll learn how to work with text frames (for inserting titles, composers, etc.), how to configure headers and footers using automatic tags, and, most importantly, how figured bass works—a harmonic notation system originating from the Baroque period.

🧱 Text frames: titles and more

Text frames let you insert elements like title, subtitle, composer, or arranger into your score. They are created automatically when you generate a new score, but you can also insert them manually via “Add > Frames > Insert Vertical Frame”.

Inside each frame, right-click > “Add” to insert titles, composer, etc. You can use multiple frames to separate different songs within the same MuseScore file.

To style the text globally, go to “Format > Style > Text Styles” and adjust font, size, color, alignment, etc.

📄 Header and footer

Unlike frames, headers and footers apply to every page. Configure them from “Format > Style > Header and Footer”.

Available options:

• Show or hide on the first page
• Different settings for even and odd pages
• Text alignment: left, center, or right

You can use automatic tags such as:

• $p: page number (except first page)
• $P: page number (including first page)
• $F: file name
• $D: current date
• $C: copyright
• $:composer: composer name

All of these fields pull data from “File > Project Properties”.

To change how they look, go to “Format > Style > Text Styles” and edit the styles for “Header” or “Footer”.

🎼 Introduction to figured bass

Figured bass is a historical notation from the Baroque period used to indicate chords built over a bass note, using numbers to represent intervals (3rd, 5th, 6th…).

Insert it via “Add > Text > Figured Bass” or the shortcut Ctrl+G. Then, write the intervals that build the chord above the bass note.

🔢 Chord positions and inversions

A chord can appear in:

• Root position: optional to write (can be blank or 5/3)
• First inversion: written as “6” or “6/3”
• Second inversion: must be written as “6/4”

These numbers refer to the intervals between the bass note and the other chord tones.

📝 Alterations in figured bass

If you want to alter the chord (e.g., make it minor), add a flat (♭) before the number: ♭3.

If no number is included, MuseScore assumes the accidental applies to the 3rd. Sharps (#) and naturals (♮) can also be used.

🎯 Application and behavior

Figured bass follows the key signature. If you change the key, chords will be interpreted accordingly. It does not specify chord quality (major, minor…) unless manually altered.

It’s a powerful tool for Baroque music, harmonic analysis, and continuo studies.