What does figured bass represent in Baroque music?

Figured bass serves as a shorthand notation system used in Baroque music to indicate chords and harmony. It consists of a bass line with figures, or numbers, written below it. These figures tell the performer not only the notes to be played above the bass line but also how to construct the chords or harmonies needed. By interpreting these numbers, musicians can understand which intervals to add to the bass note, guiding their improvisation or realization on keyboard instruments like the harpsichord or organ.

This method was essential in the Baroque era, where harmony played a crucial role in musical composition and performance. The numbers in figured bass pinpoint specific intervals relative to the bass note, thus determining the necessary harmonic context. Therefore, recognizing figured bass as representing the numbers that determine harmony accurately reflects its significance in Baroque music.

The other options, while related to music, do not accurately capture the specific function of figured bass in this context. Melodic structure relates to the arrangement of pitches in a melody, rhythmic patterns concern the timing and duration of notes, and harmonic chords generally describe the simultaneous combination of different pitches but do not encompass the detailed instruction provided by figured bass notation.