Hi SBM,

Johan Sebastian Bach also thought that bass was boss.

You've actually discovered something quite similar to a system of music instructions that Bach used to use when creating songs. He would often use what is called a "figured bass." This process involves constructing a bass line and then assembling chords above the bass notes (which is pretty much what you have done). Bach's number system was different from yours. He used the intervals above the given bass note and the performer was free to choose whatever octave the interval was played in (in other words, C to E is the interval of a third, and the E could as close as possible to the C or in any octave above it. Bach still treated that as a third.)


Below is an image of a figured bass at the site shown in the link.
https://mymusictheory.com/figured-bass/q2-realising-a-figured-bass/

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Bach would then use this information to extemporise or write some music (extemporise means to improvise).

By following some basic principles, this bass line could lead to something like below...

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Interpretting this music composition...

  • 1) the bass note G has notes that are a 3rd and a 5th above it (the 3rd and 5th are understood) --- that is, G-B-D (a root position G chord, G)
  • 2) the bass note B has notes that are a 3rd and a 6th above it (the 3rd is understood) -- namely B-D-G (a first inversion G chord, G/B)
  • 3) the third bass note has the understood 3rd and 5th above it -- D-F#-A (a root position D chord, D)
  • etc.


--Noel

P.S. While this is not what you wanted to know, I thought you might appreciate knowing that you are in the company of the great musicians with the approach that you are using.

MY SONGS...
Audiophile BIAB 2025