Figured Bass Expanded
Figured Bass Expanded
Master Chromatic Figured Bass & Expand Your Harmonic Vocabulary
If you're advancing in your music theory studies—whether preparing for a Grade 6 theory exam, expanding your skills as a pianist, or exploring figured bass as a composer or early music enthusiast—this course is designed for you.
In Figured Bass Expanded, you’ll learn to fluently interpret figured bass symbols (both diatonic and chromatic) in multiple keys, strengthening your ability to realize continuo parts and deepen your understanding of harmonic function.
By the end of this course, you will:
✅ Develop fluency in interpreting figured bass with chromatic alterations.
✅ Understand how key context shapes figured bass symbols.
✅ Expand your harmonic vocabulary with seventh chords and advanced chromatic figures.
✅ Apply your knowledge through pencil-and-paper exercises and practical keyboard realizations.
💬 What students say about my teaching:
"After years of trying to understand the ABRSM books, everything became clearer." – Valerie Neighbour
"Lona is a fantastic teacher who is really passionate about music theory. Her love of teaching shines through, and she explains the concepts well." – Charlotte Ward
A Unique Approach: Bringing Figured Bass to Life
Unlike many figured bass courses that focus solely on textbook exercises, this course bridges the gap between written realization and practical application.
🎼 Learn from historical sources – We use real exercises from Dandrieu, a 17th-century master of continuo realization.
🎼 Develop written & keyboard fluency – You’ll practice both pencil-and-paper exercises and realizations at the keyboard.
🎼 Strengthen your harmonic intuition – This course helps you think in harmonies, making figured bass second nature.
💬 What students say about my teaching:
"Excellent course! Clearly not just tailored for those wanting to pass Grade 6 theory—the course seems geared to delivering a really solid understanding of harmony and making you a better musician." – Jo Sanderson
"Lona has a way of explaining things that makes you eager to learn rather than ashamed for not knowing more than you do!" – Rebecca Marshall
Your Instructor
I have been teaching music theory and composition since I began my
graduate education in 1999. While studying for my MA in Music
Composition at the University of Pennsylvania, I started
teaching music theory to Penn
undergraduates. I have since taught music theory and composition at
Interlochen Arts Camp in Michigan, Plymouth University (UK), Dartington
College of Arts (UK), and in my own studio at home. I own and operate
the Totnes School of Piano.
I entered my undergraduate studies completely focussed on studying piano
performance, but I quickly found that studying music theory improved my
sight-reading and my ability to memorise music; it heightened my
musical expression and understanding at the piano; and it eventually led
me to composing music.
I hold dual undergraduate degrees in piano performance and music theory, an MA and PhD in composition from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, and two MFAs in performance (improvisation emphasis) and electronic music and recording media from Mills College in California, where I won the Flora Boyd Piano Performance Prize in 2011.
But most importantly, I have a passion for teaching music theory. I
believe it is the key that unlocks all musical treasures. It can be
engaging in its own right, but music theory, for me, is best viewed as a
means toward greater musical expression and creativity.