Realising a figured bass

Six steps, every time

Question 1 of the paper gives you a bass line with figures and asks for the upper parts. Work through the same six steps each time:

1. Key: from the key signature and the last bass note. In a minor key, look for the raised 7th in the figures.
2. Name: write the chord's label under every bass note.
3. Cadence: plan the last two or three chords first.
4. Soprano: a line that moves mostly by step and could be sung on its own.
5. Fill in: alto and tenor take the nearest notes of each chord.
6. Check: six pairs of voices for consecutives, the leading note, the doubling, the spacing.

Why plan the cadence before the soprano? Because the end of the phrase is where the rules are tightest (the leading note must rise to the tonic) and where a good line is heard most.