- Emphasis on melody and ornamentation: Baroque music is known for its distinctive melodies featuring melodic embellishments, such as trills, turns, and mordents, adding a decorative and ornate quality to the music.
- Dynamic contrasts: Baroque music employed dynamic contrasts to create dramatic effects. Composers utilized changes in volume, from loud (forte) to soft(piano), to express emotions and enhance the overall musical experience.
- Complex polyphony: While homophonic textures (melody accompanied by chords) were also used, polyphonic textures, involving multiple independent melodic lines, were prevalent. This intricate counterpoint added a complex and rich tapestry of sound to the music.
- Use of basso continuo: The basso continuo was a fundamental element of Baroque music. Typically played by a keyboard instrument and bass instrument (such as cello or double bass), it provided a harmonic framework and supported the other instrumental or vocal parts.
- Development of instrumental music: This era saw the rise of instrumental music, with compositions such as concertos and sonatas gaining prominence. These instrumental pieces showcased the technical skill and virtuosity of the musicians and the potential of various instruments.
- Operatic Innovations: Opera flourished during the Baroque period, with composers experimenting with new forms and dramatic techniques. Notable Baroque operas include Handel's "Messiah" and Monteverdi's "L'Orfeo."
- Regional Diversities: Baroque music varied across different regions of Europe, influenced by local traditions. Italian, German, French, and English Baroque styles each possessed distinct characteristics and compositional approaches.
Baroque music is characterized by its grandeur, ornamentation, and intense emotional expressiveness. It left a profound impact on Western classical music, influencing later composers and styles and continues to be enjoyed and celebrated by audiences today.