The Beauty of the Baroque

In this lesson, we will introduce the Baroque period and its typical features. We will learn how the D major scale is built and played on a keyboard, before exploring the first two melodies of Pachelbel's Canon in D.

In this lesson, we will explore the concept of melody. How and why do different melodies fit together? We will explore the degrees of the scale, play countermelodies from Pachelbel's Canon in D and then compose a countermelody.

In this lesson, we will explore further melodies from Pachelbel's Canon in D. We will learn how performers of Baroque music vary and decorate their melodies, and then explore this practically.

In this lesson, we will find out what makes music sound 'Baroque'. We will learn about Baroque instruments and how they differ to the ones we use today. We will explore methods of varying texture through counterpoint, and create our own melodic ideas to be played in canon.

In this lesson, we will find out what a phrase is and how melodies can be divided up into smaller phrases. We will experiment with phrases from Pachelbel's Canon, and rearrange them into longer melodies of our own.

In this lesson, we will recap all our knowledge of Baroque music so far. We will recap how to perform melodies from Pachelbel's Canon ensuring they are musical and stylistic. We will then learn how to use a Digital Audio Workstation to place these melodies into a contrapuntal texture.

In this lesson, we will learn about the role of the basso continuo and ground bass in Baroque music. We will explore how to play the ground bass stylistically in a virtual Baroque ensemble!

In this lesson, we will deepen our knowledge of the role of the basso continuo in Baroque music. We will explore how the ground bass and chords are related to one another, and learn how to play the chords of Pachelbel's Canon in a way stylistic to the Baroque period. We will then explore how to be the whole basso continuo in a virtual Baroque ensemble!

In this lesson, we will explore what makes a stylistic bass line. We will learn how to create our own bass lines using the chords from Pachelbel's Canon, and build our confidence in inputting this into a Digital Audio Workstation.

In this lesson, we will learn how melodies are related to chords, and analyse melodies from Pachelbel's Canon in greater depth. We will learn how to use the ground bass from Pachelbel's Canon to create a ground bass of your own. We will then explore how to structure your melodies in a Digital Audio Workstation.

In this lesson, we will learn how to create a more sophisticated and stylistic melody. We will explore Baroque ornamentation and rhythms, and experiment with passing notes to create our own melodies. We will then explore how to further manipulate this in a Digital Audio Workstation.

In this lesson, we will learn all about different Baroque structures. We will explore how to combine our own ideas with Pachelbel's Canon in a variety of structures, such as binary, ternary and rondo.

In this lesson, we will consolidate our understanding of structures. We will learn how to create an arrangement of Pachelbel's (and our own) melodies and place these in a sophisticated structure.