Learn to Play Recorder

Lesson 35: Introduction to Baroque Style and Affect

  • Identify the dominant affect of a Baroque piece in its first few bars.
  • Play three pieces in contrasting affects and let the affect shape every detail.

Each Baroque piece is one feeling, sustained.

The Baroque worked on a doctrine of affects — each piece or section expresses one unified emotional character: joy, melancholy, serenity, heroism. The composer chose tempo, mode, articulation, and figuration to fit that affect; the performer's job is to sustain it. The character is set, and the player serves it.

Joyful — major, fast, leaping

Major key, fast tempo, light articulation, broken-chord and leaping figures.

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Melancholic — minor, slow, sighing

Minor key, slow tempo, descending phrases with appoggiature on strong beats. The “sigh” figure: a leaned note resolving downward.

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Heroic — major, dotted, ceremonial

Dotted rhythms in the French overture style. Strong attack, broad phrasing.

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Now play these

Vivaldi: Concerto RV 443 (Largo)
Serene — sustain the character.
Handel: Sonata in A minor, HWV 362
One affect per movement.
Telemann: Six Sonatas, TWV 40:101
Identify each movement's affect, then play.

When you can play a Baroque piece with a sustained, identifiable affect — one a listener could name — move on to Lesson 36.