The Baroque Period of Music - Musical-Things Presto

In today's bitesize music study episode, we'll cover some key facts about Baroque music to help you recognise the sounds, instruments and techniques used as well as the names of composers and years in which they operated.

Musical-Things Presto is your no. 1 stop for GCSE and IGCSE music revision and study. With quick keywords and definitions together with audio example, we'll make sure that you don't forget important facts for your listening exam.

Musical-Things Presto - music made easy.
S01E01

Don't forget to subscribe to Musical-Things Presto!

Connect with us on Social Media:
Facebook: @MusicalThingsUK
Twitter: @Musical_Things
Instagram: @Musical_Thingss

Prefer a podcast version? We've got your covered! Listen on:

[Heroz-]

Summary: The Baroque Period (1600-1750) was a musical era mainly in Western and Central Europe, featuring key composers like Bach, Vivaldi, and Handel. A major characteristic was terraced dynamics, where volume changed suddenly rather than gradually.

Melodies were long and decorated with ornaments like trills, mordents, and appoggiaturas. The harpsichord was a defining instrument, known for its plucked string sound. Baroque orchestras were dominated by strings, with additional instruments like oboes, wooden flutes, trumpets, and timpani.

Key takeaway: Baroque music is ornate, dramatic, and structured with distinct dynamics and instrumental styles.