MusicXML 4.1 Draft
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MusicXML 4.1 Draft>Elements>The <figured-bass> element

The <figured-bass> element

Parent elements: <measure> (partwise)<part> (timewise)

The <figured-bass> element represents figured bass notation. A <figured-bass> element takes its position from the first regular note (not a grace note or chord note) that follows in score order. The optional <duration> element is used to indicate changes of figures under a note. Figures are ordered from top to bottom.

Content

In this order

Attributes

NameTypeRequired?(Default)Description
colorcolorNoIndicates the color of an element.
Indicates the color of an element.
default-xtenthsNoChanges the computation of the default horizontal position. The origin is changed relative to the left-hand side of the note or the musical position within the bar. Positive x is right and negative x is left.

This attribute provides higher-resolution positioning data than the <offset> element. Applications reading a MusicXML file that can understand both features should generally rely on this attribute for its greater accuracy.

Changes the computation of the default horizontal position. The origin is changed relative to the left-hand side of the note or the musical position within the bar. Positive x is right and negative x is left.

This attribute provides higher-resolution positioning data than the <offset> element. Applications reading a MusicXML file that can understand both features should generally rely on this attribute for its greater accuracy.

default-ytenthsNoChanges the computation of the default vertical position. The origin is changed relative to the top line of the staff. Positive y is up and negative y is down.

This attribute provides higher-resolution positioning data than the placement attribute. Applications reading a MusicXML file that can understand both attributes should generally rely on this attribute for its greater accuracy.

Changes the computation of the default vertical position. The origin is changed relative to the top line of the staff. Positive y is up and negative y is down.

This attribute provides higher-resolution positioning data than the placement attribute. Applications reading a MusicXML file that can understand both attributes should generally rely on this attribute for its greater accuracy.

font-familyfont-familyNoA comma-separated list of font names.
A comma-separated list of font names.
font-sizefont-sizeNoOne of the CSS sizes or a numeric point size.
One of the CSS sizes or a numeric point size.
font-stylefont-styleNoNormal or italic style.
Normal or italic style.
font-weightfont-weightNoNormal or bold weight.
Normal or bold weight.
halignleft-center-rightNoIn cases where text extends over more than one line, horizontal alignment and justify values can be different. The most typical case is for credits, such as:

Words and music by Pat Songwriter

Typically this type of credit is aligned to the right, so that the position information refers to the right-most part of the text. But in this example, the text is center-justified, not right-justified.

The halign attribute is used in these situations. If it is not present, its value is the same as for the justify attribute. For elements where a justify attribute is not allowed, the default is implementation-dependent.

In cases where text extends over more than one line, horizontal alignment and justify values can be different. The most typical case is for credits, such as:

Words and music by Pat Songwriter

Typically this type of credit is aligned to the right, so that the position information refers to the right-most part of the text. But in this example, the text is center-justified, not right-justified.

The halign attribute is used in these situations. If it is not present, its value is the same as for the justify attribute. For elements where a justify attribute is not allowed, the default is implementation-dependent.

idxs:IDNoSpecifies an ID that is unique to the entire document.
Specifies an ID that is unique to the entire document.
parenthesesyes-noNoIndicates if the entire figured bass is parenthesized. It is no if not present.
Indicates if the entire figured bass is parenthesized. It is no if not present.
placementabove-belowNoIndicates whether something is above or below another element, such as a note or a notation.
Indicates whether something is above or below another element, such as a note or a notation.
print-dotyes-noNoControls the printing of an augmentation dot separately from the rest of the note or rest. This is especially useful for notes that overlap in different voices, or for chord sheets that contain lyrics and chords but no melody. If print-object is set to no, this attribute is also interpreted as being set to no if not present.
Controls the printing of an augmentation dot separately from the rest of the note or rest. This is especially useful for notes that overlap in different voices, or for chord sheets that contain lyrics and chords but no melody. If print-object is set to no, this attribute is also interpreted as being set to no if not present.
print-lyricyes-noNoControls the printing of a lyric separately from the rest of the note or rest. This is especially useful for notes that overlap in different voices, or for chord sheets that contain lyrics and chords but no melody. If print-object is set to no, this attribute is also interpreted as being set to no if not present.
Controls the printing of a lyric separately from the rest of the note or rest. This is especially useful for notes that overlap in different voices, or for chord sheets that contain lyrics and chords but no melody. If print-object is set to no, this attribute is also interpreted as being set to no if not present.
print-objectyes-noNoSpecifies whether or not to print an object. It is yes if not specified.
Specifies whether or not to print an object. It is yes if not specified.
print-spacingyes-noNoControls whether or not spacing is left for an invisible note or object. It is used only if no note, dot, or lyric is being printed. The value is yes (leave spacing) if not specified.
Controls whether or not spacing is left for an invisible note or object. It is used only if no note, dot, or lyric is being printed. The value is yes (leave spacing) if not specified.
relative-xtenthsNoChanges the horizontal position relative to the default position, either as computed by the individual program, or as overridden by the default-x attribute. Positive x is right and negative x is left. It should be interpreted in the context of the <offset> element or directive attribute if those are present.
Changes the horizontal position relative to the default position, either as computed by the individual program, or as overridden by the default-x attribute. Positive x is right and negative x is left. It should be interpreted in the context of the <offset> element or directive attribute if those are present.
relative-ytenthsNoChanges the vertical position relative to the default position, either as computed by the individual program, or as overridden by the default-y attribute. Positive y is up and negative y is down. It should be interpreted in the context of the placement attribute if that is present.
Changes the vertical position relative to the default position, either as computed by the individual program, or as overridden by the default-y attribute. Positive y is up and negative y is down. It should be interpreted in the context of the placement attribute if that is present.
valignvalignNoIndicates vertical alignment to the top, middle, bottom, or baseline of the text. The default is implementation-dependent.
Indicates vertical alignment to the top, middle, bottom, or baseline of the text. The default is implementation-dependent.

Examples

This element is used in the following examples:

<extend> (Figured Bass)<figure-number><prefix><suffix>