Characteristics Of Each Period

THE CHARACTERISTICS OF EACH PERIOD:

The purpose of this document is to list key characteristics of each period to help identify them in unfamilliar listening questions.

BAROQUE:

Predominance/reliance of strings 

Organ/harpsichord CONTINUO (you MUST mention 'contino' to earn the mark)

Ornamentation is extremely common - examples include trills and mordents 

Timpani is limited to tonic and dominant only

One mood persists throughout an entire piece 

(In operas) - Strings double vocal lines

CLASSICAL:

Double woodwind/wind - woodwind is a self contained section

Piano replaces the harpsichord in secular music - LISTEN OUT FOR THIS

More variety and contrast within a piece

Regular/periodic phrasing within…