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INSTRUMENTS
STRINGS - VIOLS (older types of string instruments)
popular in the early Baroque, but superseded by
VIOLINS, VIOLAS, CELLOS (and later double basses)
forming the backbone of the Baroque Orchestra. The
LUTE was also a popular string instrument used mainly
for solos or accompanying songs.
WOODWIND Flutes (wooden), Recorders, Oboes and
Bassoons
BRASS Trumpets (valveless, hence only being able to
play a limited amount of pitches) used on special
occasions and for dramatic effect only
PERCUSSION Timpani (kettle drums) the only notable
percussion instrument used in the Baroque period, again
for special effects and dramatic occasions
KEYBOARD Organ and Harpsichord (its tinkling
timbre easily identifies Baroque from other types of
music!) are the main keyboard instruments, both
performed the role of the CONTINUO (filling out the
harmonies) performing from FIGURED BASS notation.
Often the Harpsichord player led the Baroque orchestra
(no conductors (or pianos!) yet!)

MELODY AND TEXTURE

Baroque Melodies are often DECORATED or
ORNAMENTED by the performer adding embellishments
and ornaments (trills, turns etc.) or extra notes during
performances, giving a busy feel to the melody of much
Baroque music.
The melody line of much Baroque Orchestral Music was
often performed by FIRST VIOLINS
IMITATION often used in Baroque Orchestral Music a
dialogue between instruments copying or echoing each
other with the same musical phrase/idea, sometimes at
different pitches
SEQUENCE a short melodic idea, repeated again at a
higher or lower pitch, by the same or a different
instrument(s).
The frequent use of IMITATION in much Baroque
Orchestral Music often results in a POLYPHONIC texture
a dense, overlapping of sound as different instrumental
parts weave together in a complex web of sounds.
HOMOPHONIC (melody and accompaniment) textures
were more common in genres such as the SOLO
CONCERTO or SONATAS.

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THE BAROQUE
PERIOD
1600-1750
Fancy decoration and ornamentation in art,
architecture, fashion and music sum up the word
Baroque
Music performed mainly in CHURCH or in the private
salons of the rich with a small ensemble and audience known as CHAMBER MUSIC.
Dancing was popular in the Baroque period and the
orchestral music which accompanied it (see The
Baroque Dance Suite below) was often performed
separately (without dancing) as a stand-alone
instrumental Suite.
Famous Baroque Composers J. S. Bach, Handel,
Vivaldi

BAROQUE
ORCHESTRAL
MUSIC

HARMONY/ TONALITY
AND DYNAMICS
Music in the Baroque period is now clearly either
MAJOR or MINOR (replacing the old Medieval and
Renaissance system of MODES).
TERRACED DYNAMICS music in either loud or soft
sections (little gradations e.g. cresc. or dim.) One
mood usual lasted throughout a movement although a
movement could have loud and soft sections for
contrast.

BAROQUE
INSTRUMENTAL
GENRES
GROUND BASS a repeating melodic pattern
(OSTINATO) used as a basis upon which to add other
melodic layers e.g. Canon by Pachelbel, often resulting
in a thick, POLYPHONIC musical texture.
FUGUE a main theme (subject) is answered by a
second theme (answer) together with other instrumental
parts (called voices) adding additional lines e.g. counter
subject) creating a dense web of POLYPHONIC or
CONTRAPUNTAL texture.
CONCERTO GROSSO A group of soloists
(CONCERTANTE) share the duties of playing solo
melodies, contrasted with an orchestra of less able
players (RIPIENO), normally 3-4 contrasting movements.
SOLO CONCERTO one soloist, often performing
difficult and complex solos, accompanied by an
orchestra, normally 3-4 contrasting movements.
SONATA a solo instrument accompanied by the Cello
or Harpsichord (CONTINUO), usually in 3-4 contrasting
movements and called after the instrument in which they
feature e.g. Violin Sonata = solo violin & continuo. Can
be performed in a church (SONATA DA CHIESA) or a
private salon/chamber (SONATA DA CAMERA).

THE BAROQUE DANCE

SUITE
Formed by grouping a set of shorter pieces together to
form a Suite contrasting tempi, mood, metres and
rhythms; normally in the same key but sometimes tonic
minor used for extra musical contrast. The Baroque
Dance Suite had 4 key MOVEMENTS normally in
BINARY FORM.
ALLEMANDE often opened the Suite, German origin,
moderate tempo, stately character, 4/4 metre
COURANTE normally followed the Allemande, French
origin, 3/4 metre, fast tempo, lively character and
frequent use of dotted rhythms.
SARABANDE slow and serious dance originating in
Spain, in minim time e.g. 3/2, emphasis on second beat
of the bar, often the melody line decorated with
ornaments.
GIGUE fastest of the movements and often at the end,
lively character in compound time e.g. 6/8
A MINUET elegant character in 3/4 time, a GAVOTTE
or a BOURRE may be inserted before the final Gigue.
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INSTRUMENTS
Describe some of the instruments used in the Baroque period under the
following headings.

C L A S S I C A L

T R A D I T I O N

THE BAROQUE
PERIOD
What were the dates of the Baroque period? What does the word Baroque
mean? Where was Baroque music performed? Can you name some famous
Baroque composers?

STRINGS -

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WOODWIND

BAROQUE
INSTRUMENTAL
GENRES
Make some brief notes against the following genres popular in Baroque
Orchestral Music

GROUND BASS

FUGUE

BRASS
CONCERTO GROSSO
PERCUSSION
SOLO CONCERTO

KEYBOARD

MELODY AND TEXTURE

How were Baroque melodies embellished by performers? Which
instruments often performed the melody part? What is IMITATION? What is
SEQUENCE? What musical TEXTURES were common in Baroque
Orchestral Music?

BAROQUE
ORCHESTRAL
MUSIC

SONATA

THE BAROQUE DANCE

SUITE
How many movements made up the Baroque Dance Suite? How were these
movements contrasted? What form was each movement normally in?

Note down the key musical features of the following key movements of the
Baroque Dance Suite

ALLEMANDE

HARMONY/ TONALITY
AND DYNAMICS
What system of Tonality replaced the older modes?
What are Terraced Dynamics?

COURANTE
SARABANDE
GIGUE
What optional movements could also be used in a Baroque Dance Suite?
Where in the Suite would these be inserted?

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Meaning

Understood
(tick)

Signatures
(staff, student, parent)

Accompaniment
Allemande
Baroque
Binary
Cello
Concertante
Concerto
Concerto Grosso
(Basso) Continuo
Contrapuntal
Courante
Decorated Melody
Ensemble
Figured Bass
Fugue
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Meaning

Understood
(tick)

Signatures
(staff, student, parent)

Gigue
Ground Bass
Handel
Harpsichord
Imitation
J. S. Bach
Lute
Major
Metre
Minor
Minuet
Monophonic
Mordent
Movement
Orchestra

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Meaning

Understood
(tick)

Signatures
(staff, student, parent)

Organ
Ornamentation
Ostinato
Polyphonic
Prelude
Recorder
Rhythm
Ripieno
Sarabande
Sequence
Solo
Solo Sonata
Subject
Suite
Tempo

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Meaning

Understood
(tick)

Signatures
(staff, student, parent)

Terraced Dynamics
Tonality
Trill
Turn
Tutti
Violin
Viols
Vivaldi

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I have understood the following Learning Objectives:

Learning Objectives & AQA Areas of Study

I feel confident
and understand
it all

I understand
most/some

I do not
understand at
all

Signatures
(staff, student, parent)

To know the dates of the Baroque period

To understand the main features of Baroque music
and instruments used (AoS 3 & 4)
To distinguish between Baroque music and other
types of music (AoS 3 & 4)
Learn about the Baroque Dance Suite as a type of
Baroque Instrumental Music (Aos 5)
Learn about the contrasts in Rhythm & Metre
(AoS1), Harmony and Tonality (AoS2) and Structure
and Form (AoS5) that feature in the daces which
make up the Baroque Dance Suite
Learn how Baroque composers used harmony and
chords in Baroque Orchestral Music (AoS2)
Recognise instruments used in Baroque Orchestral
Music both in solo and combination (AoS4)
Learn about different Structures and Forms (AoS5) ,
Rhythmic Features (AoS1) and Textures and Melody
(AoS3) is in Baroque Orchestral Music

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Grade

E
(working
towards)

C
(working
at)

A
(working
beyond/
GAT)

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Descriptor

(Tick as
appropriate)

Signatures
(staff, student, parent)

Describe and identify simple features used in Baroque music e.g. the sound of the
Harpsichord, the difference between major and minor tonality
Aurally discriminate between characteristically Baroque music and music from other
genres
Recognise the Baroque Dance Suite as a type of Baroque Instrumental Music
Identify basic features such as major/minor tonality in Baroque Dance Music
Recognise some Baroque orchestral instruments in both solo and ensemble
Understand that much Baroque orchestral music uses major/minor tonality based on
chords
Recognise that differences between solo and tutti when listening
Know the dates of the Baroque period
Describe and identify more complex features used in Baroque music e.g. role of the
continuo and terraced dynamics
Aurally discriminate between a range of vocal and instrumental Baroque music and music
from other genres
Can name the different dances of the Baroque Dance Suite
Aurally identify instruments used to perform Baroque Dance Music
Identify more complex features such as tempo, metre and basic Binary Form structures
used in Baroque Dance Music
Recognise most Baroque orchestral instruments in both solo and ensemble
Recognise basic textures and structures and forms used for Baroque instrumental music
Describe and identify complex features used in Baroque music e.g. melodic decoration
and imitation
Correctly aurally discriminate between Baroque and other music
Can describe the development of the Baroque Dance Suite and its contribution to Baroque
Instrumental Music overall
Identify complex features such as rhythmic features, sequence, imitation, terraced
dynamics and instrumentation in a variety of different dances from the Baroque Dance
Suite
Recognise all Baroque orchestral instruments in both solo and ensemble
Understand changes in harmony and identify chords used in Baroque orchestral music.
Correctly identify different textures, forms and structures used in Baroque Orchestral music.

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Grade Currently
Working At :

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Grade Working
Towards:

Targets to meet:

Signatures
(staff, student
and parents)

Date

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