Style and Period

17th Century

• Regular tempo throughout
• Ornaments are frequent (trills and mordents)
• Simple harmony - dissonance and chromaticism used sparingly
• 2 or more independent parts (Frequent counterpoint)
• Imitation
• Harpsichord - no pedal
• Clear texture
• Terraced dynamics (pp, p, mp, mf, f, ff)

18th Century

• Generally regular tempo
• Cantabile melody (with trills, turns, appogiaturas etc)
• Often broken chord or alberti bass accompaniment
• Simple harmony but can include dissonance and chromaticism
• Little use of piano pedal
• Dynamic variation (cresc. and dim.) but not violent

19th Century

• Possible frequent change in pulse (accelerando, rit. and pause)
• Rubato - speeding up and slowing down within phrases
• Less ornamentation in general
• Rich harmony and chromaticism
• Thick, chordal texture
• Much use of piano pedal
• Wide ranging and frequent dynamic variation

20th Century

• Unusual rhythms, syncopation
• Pulse and time signature could change frequently
• Key may change frequently or Atonal (no sense of key)
• Could contain Jazz or Pop elements
• Might have complex or dissonant harmonies
• Dynamics may vary widely