How can I tell the difference between music from the Baroque and Classical eras? (GCSE)

Baroque music is far more ornate than that of the classical era with less regular phrasing. Baroque music also uses a more polyphonic texture than classical music, meaning there are more interweaving lines being played simultaneously. The instrumentation is often a giveaway, baroque music will usually have a very audible basso continuo being played on the harpsichord, organ or cello from beginning to end. Alternatively, if you look at the instrumentation of classical music, the orchestra had grown by that point in time so and instruments such as french horns, for example, can usually be heard.

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Answered by Oonagh T. Music tutor

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