Introduction 'Alberti bass' is an accompaniment figure, consisting of repeated pattern of broken chords, as we can find in the left hand of many keyboard sonatas of the late 18th and 19th century. However, it is also found in pieces for other instruments. 'Alberti bass' is named after the singer, harpsichord player and composer Domenico Alberti (1710–1740), who used it extensively, although he was not the first to use it. Alberti bass Example from Mozart's Piano sonata KV 545, movement 2 (beginning) Intriguing example from Mozart's String Quartet KV 172, movement 2 (beginning)