Middle Ages 400-1475                   Renaissance-1600                      Early Baroque-1750

Melody              Narrow range                                     Moderate narrow range           Larger range

                                Step wise motion                               Mainly stepwise motion         Jumps around

                                                                                              Some chromaticism                  More chromaticism

   Idiomatic

   Melodic sequencing

Harmony                No Harmony                                           Consonant triad                    Basso Continuo

                                Polyphony

Rhythm                  No clear rhythmic pulse                      Sacred music relaxed                Excited, driving

                                                                                                Secular lively, catchy                Walking Bass

Syncopated

Color                      Mainly vocal                                      Still mainly vocal                      Instrumental (violin,

                                Little instrumental music survives   Some instrumental                 harpsichord, organ)

                                                                                                                                                1 tone color throughout

                                                                                                                                                a piece usually

Texture                  Monophonic                                        Polyphony alternates             Homophonic

Polyphony                                             With Homophony                 Contrapuntal fugue

Form                                                                                      Through-composed