I mean what exactly makes us say “Hmm, this is baroque” when we hear a musical piece? (Major/minor transitions,modulations, progression etc.) could you give me specific technical terms (short explanations would be greatly appreciated)?
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During the Baroque Era,approximately 1600 and 1750 the use of imporvisation increased. This change was most important in instrumental music. However, as important as it was, improvisation caused problems when musicians attemped to understand and perform Baroque music accurately.
Basso continuo , or figured bass, was purely an instrumental concept. It is music that is played by one or more bass instruments and a keyboard instrument. Basso continuo gave bass parts an importance of their own in all areas of ensemble music. It is one of the most distinct features of the Baroque Era as a whole.
Thematic variation occured in all aspects of instrumental music, during this time period. In addition to thematic variation, sequencing was also used. This was a repetition of melody patterns on successively higher or lower pitches. It became a typical part of instrumental music during the mid-Baroque period.
Another characteristic of the Baroque Era was the distinction between the chamber ensemble and the orchestra. This started to take place around the late 1600s. Equal tempered tuning of keyboard instruments was now commonplace. The old method of tuning, which was called intonation was no longer practiced. Bach’s The Well Tempered Clavier was composed to show equality of keys in the new tuning system.
for further Characteristics of Baroque Music
overview)
i guess “detached” notes and trills in both the right and left hand are some of the most significant characteristics. when baroque music was written, they didn’t have pianos; they had harpsichords instead. the harpsichords weren’t really good at maintaining long notes so composers used trills instead, and detached notes.
in a lot of baroque pieces, there are a lot of two/three “inventions”. that’s when the left hand keeps repeating what the right hand plays. also, towards the ending the left hand usually plays a note, then the same note an octave lower, then the dominant of the note (five notes upwards) for a “closing formula”.
baroque pieces usually start with major, then go to minor, then either stay in minor or change to major. baroque music isn’t calm; it’s usually fast-paced and doesn’t slow down. the notes usually just flow one after the other and it’s like that for both the left and right hand on the piano. violins are also used in baroque music; usually they just play the same notes as the piano.
Contrapuntal, unflagging ( consistent) rhythms which repeat, sentimental slow movements. Counterpoint abounds. Fugal techniques abound.