GCSE Music - AoS1 - Features of Baroque music (1600-1750)

• The Baroque period was from 1600 - 1750.
  
• Music generally has a polyphonic texture
• Often uses harpsichord
• Clearly defined major and minor parts
• Melodies are long and flowing
• Often uses imitation and sequences
• Ornaments are frequently used (e.g. mordents, trills, turns)
• Composers of the period include: Vivaldi, Bach and Handel.
  

• The four suites of Baroque dance music are the Minuet, the Gavotte, the Gigue and the Sarabande.
• A Minuet is in 3/4 (medium rhythm), and sounds bright.
• A Gavotte is in 4/4 and has a fast/medium pace.
• A Gigue is fast, and is in 2 (6/8).
• Finally, a Sarabande is slow (and often sounds sombre or sad), and is in 3/4.

Baroque music is usuallypolyphonic in texture.

• Polyphonic: Melodies interweave with one another. Often a feature in fugues.

Baroque music can also be homophonic.

• Homophonic: A musical texture which involves a melody accompanied by harmonies (everything is played at once).

Sequences are often used in pieces from this period in musical history.

• Sequence: Melodic phrases repeated at diffrerent pitches.