What is the difference between basso continuo and figured bass?

Answer 1

The continuous bass (of it: basso continuo, sometimes abbreviated b. C.) Is a technique of composition and execution proper and essential of the Baroque period, which is why it is often called the low continuous period. When using this technique, the composer creates the bass voice but does not specify the counterpoint or the ripieno chords, which he leaves in charge of the performer (s). The continuous bass can contain "numbers" to guide the performer

Figured bass, or thoroughbass, is a kind of musical notation in which numerals and symbols (often accidentals) indicate intervals, chords, and non-chord tones that a musician playing harpsichord, organ, lute (or other instruments capable of playing chords) play in relation to the bass note that these numbers and symbols appear above or below. Figured bass is closely associated with basso continuo, a historically improvised accompaniment used in almost all genres of music in the Baroque period of Classical music (ca. 1600-1750), though rarely in modern music.