Bass arpeggiation

Fundamental structure: fundamental line on top stave, bass arpeggiation below. Play^ⓘ

One possible bass arpeggiation: I–IV–V–I Play^ⓘ as elaboration of I–V–I Play^ⓘ.

In Schenkerian analysis, bass arpeggiation (de: Bassbrechung, literally: "bass breaking") is a possible bass pattern forming the deep background of tonal musical pieces, each scale-step (de: Stufen) or bass note may span hundreds of measures of music in the foreground.

The fundamental line descends from a primary tone to the tonic accompanied by a bass arpeggiation.