Middle School Academics

1. The Baroque Period
1600-1750
for
8th
Grade Music History Unit

2. • Baroque music is
characteristic by
splendor, elaboration,
theatricality, and
emotionalism.

3. Mood
• An overall characteristic is that a particular
Baroque composition or movement trends
to protect a single mood or expression of
feeling.

4. Melody
• A continuous spinning out of a single
melody or melodic idea, often ornamented
through improvisation.

5. Rhythm
• Forward rhythmic drive with a strong sense
of motion, even at slow tempos

6. Texture
• Balance of homophonic and polyphonic
texture, consistent throughout a section or
movement

7. Timbre (Tone Color)
• Strings, winds, and harpsichord, with a
conspicuous lack of percussion
• Modern violin family dominant
• Trumpet a favorite solo instrument

8. Dynamics
Abrupt shifts in levels of dynamics
resulting in terraces of tonal intensity
by increasing or decreasing the
texture

9. Form
• Concerto grosso,
trio, sonata, suite
• Opera seria,
oratorio, cantata,
chorale, motet,
mass

10. Composer-J.S. Bach
• Born 1685
• Died 1750