Dear luters, I have a continuo question (or two):
In a minor key, I'm not entirely sure what to do with the V chord. When there's *no other* indication to tell me what kind of third to play (e.g. a melody note, or some other written part, or a sharp sign in the figures), does the V chord take a major third or a minor third? In a major key, obviously the V is major, but what about a minor key...? And, for that matter, is the third in any 4-3 (11-10) suspension *always* a major third? I'm looking at Caccini's "Amarilli mia bella." One flat, but I'm assuming that the key is G minor. Bar 2 begins with an 11x10 suspension over D in the bass: does the "x" mean a major 3rd? If there were no "x" there, would you still play a major third? Bar 3 begins with the note D in the bass with A in the melody. What about the middle note? Assuming D is the dominant (assuming the key is G minor), does that mean that it always takes a major third? Some guidance would be greatly appreciated. Regards, David Rastall
