What are the main characteristics of the Baroque period?

The Baroque period comes first in the three main periods of the Western classical tradition (taught at GCSE). It is the first from Baroque, Classical and Romantic. It's generally accepted that the years 1600 - 1750 cover this period. Notable composers invlude Bach, Vivaldi and Handel. The most distinct sound in music from this period is a harpsichord and generally, if you can hear this in the music, it will be a 'basso continuo' line. As in the classical period the piano was developed and replaced the harpsichord, you can rely on the fact that the harpsichord indicates the Baroque period. Other important things to listen for in music of this period include long, decorated melodies, simple forms (such as binary, ternary and dance forms), string textures, diatonic harmonies, and a basso continuo.