Baroque Period (1600 to 1750)

The first period which I am exposed to is the Baroque period, which is suppose to be repertoire that were composed during the period between 1600 to 1750. For a more detailed historical background of repertoire created during this period can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baroque_music#Notes

To play music of this period, we need to take note of the following:-
1. As the instrument used in the past are instruments like Clavichord and Harpsichord, where when a key is held on, the note will die off very easily. Hence, the sustain pedal is seldom and in fact not used for pieces during the Baroque period.

2. The usual repertoire during this period are March, Menuet (which is usually 3/4 time), Gigue (form of dance which is usually 6/8 time and very common to have anacrusis), Chorale (church hymns usually sang by the choir, with right hand as Soprano), Toccata and so on.

3. Because of the limitation of the instruments during the Baroque period, repertoire usually have many ornaments added like "trills" to fill in the long hold of the notes. Also, the notes are usually played with a sticky feeling. Not very short, nor held very long. But still certain parts needs to be played in a legato manner.

4. Usually both hands are equally important as both hands are the melody. And it is usually repeated, with repeated parts on both the right hand and the left hand. Hence the balance between the left and right hands are important, as both hands are equally important. And every time the repeated parts are played using a different dynamics to enhance the different layer of the music to bring out the feeling.

5. When running trills, the trills take precedence and have to be louder than the other hand to make the trills stand out.