Love early music and want to play it with more awareness of style? Explore how to achieve a more 'authentic' sound, covering interpretation of rhythm and ornaments, tone, embellishment and more.
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This course will explore how you can play Baroque music on a modern instrument but still create a sense of authenticity through greater awareness of stylistic traits. You will increase your understanding of how composers and performers in the 17th and 18th centuries used and understood notation, and bring new life to your performance of this music.
What will we cover?
Rhetoric in early Baroque music Ornamentation in French and Italian music Dance music.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Recognise and interpret the implications of rhythmic notation in Baroque music Recognise and interpret ornamentation symbols Embellish a melody line in appropriate style Understand how to interpret Baroque dance music.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is for players of modern instruments with at least 5 years’ experience and good music reading skills. Suitable instruments include: all orchestral strings, recorder, flute, oboe, bassoon, piano. You should be able to follow written and verbal instructions in English, read hand-outs and take part in group discussion.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Tutor explanation and demonstration Feedback on your own and others’ playing Detailed study of musical scores and information from Baroque performance treatises Listening to and discussing different interpretations.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Please bring your instrument (a piano is provided), as well as a notebook, pen and pencil. Music will be provided by the tutor.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
City Lit also offers a wide range of instrumental classes for violin/viola, cello, flute and piano/keyboards, String ensemble, String school, Chamber music and Orchestra workshop. You may also be interested in Music history courses, which cover a wide range of topics from medieval to contemporary popular music.
Layil trained as an early music specialist, playing recorders and bass viol, and now has a versatile career, touring and recording internationally with early music ensembles and fusion projects. Past collaborations include Les Concert De Nations under the direction of Jordi Savall, Charivari Agreable, Baroccada, Hamza Namira, Addictive TV, Donee, and Women in Music, amongst others. Layil also fell in love with Andalusian music learning to dance flamenco, and started to collaborate with musicians and dancers from different styles and places around the world. Her music celebrates these encounters. Layil's album "Strings Between Us" was recorded in 2020 and is available on Bandcamp. It features original music for bass viola da gamba, recorder, West African kora, double bass, percussion and a Flamenco dancer.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
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https://www.citylit.ac.uk/baroque-instrumental-ensemble331329Baroque instrumental ensemblehttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/i/m/improvising-classical-instrumental-me860b-1024_6.jpg119119GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Performing arts/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Ensembles/Courses/vm/Summer offers/Courses/vm/Summer courses/Courses/vm/Summer courses/Summer courses in performing arts22851314135113571361413457135661228513141351165313457Love early music and want to play it with more awareness of style? Explore how to achieve a more 'authentic' sound, covering interpretation of rhythm and ornaments, tone, embellishment and more.003004774Baroque instrumental ensemble119119https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/i/m/improvising-classical-instrumental-me860b-1024_6_1.jpgInStockDaytimeMonKeeley StreetAvailable courses1 to 4 weeksWeekday2026-07-20T00:00:00+00:00Some experience, AdvancedJul 2026Performing artsME161A119119Baroque instrumental ensemble11983119Layil Barrbaroque-instrumental-ensemble/me161a-2526Love early music and want to play it with more awareness of style? Explore how to achieve a more 'authentic' sound, covering interpretation of rhythm and ornaments, tone, embellishment and more.0000-Available|2026-07-20 00:00:00This course will explore how you can play Baroque music on a modern instrument but still create a sense of authenticity through greater awareness of stylistic traits. You will increase your understanding of how composers and performers in the 17th and 18th centuries used and understood notation, and bring new life to your performance of this music.Love early music and want to play it with more awareness of style? Explore how to achieve a more 'authentic' sound, covering interpretation of rhythm and ornaments, tone, embellishment and more.Rhetoric in early Baroque music<br/>Ornamentation in French and Italian music<br/>Dance music.Recognise and interpret the implications of rhythmic notation in Baroque music<br/>Recognise and interpret ornamentation symbols<br/>Embellish a melody line in appropriate style<br/>Understand how to interpret Baroque dance music.This course is for players of modern instruments with at least 5 years’ experience and good music reading skills.<br/>Suitable instruments include: all orchestral strings, recorder, flute, oboe, bassoon, piano.<br/>You should be able to follow written and verbal instructions in English, read hand-outs and take part in group discussion.Tutor explanation and demonstration<br/>Feedback on your own and others’ playing<br/>Detailed study of musical scores and information from Baroque performance treatises<br/>Listening to and discussing different interpretations.Please bring your instrument (a piano is provided), as well as a notebook, pen and pencil.<br/>Music will be provided by the tutor.City Lit also offers a wide range of instrumental classes for violin/viola, cello, flute and piano/keyboards, String ensemble, String school, Chamber music and Orchestra workshop.<br/>You may also be interested in <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/music/music-historytarget=_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Music history courses</a>, which cover a wide range of topics from medieval to contemporary popular music.MusicEnsemblesvirtual11911983ME161AINTMon20/07/26 - 03/08/2610:30 - 13:3010:3013:303 sessions (over 3 weeks)31 to 4 weeksWeekdayKSKeeley StreetLayil BarrSome experience, AdvancedAvailable courses2026-07-20T00:00:00+00:00DaytimeJul 2026Performing arts119119Baroque instrumental ensemblebaroque-instrumental-ensemble/me161a-2526Love early music and want to play it with more awareness of style? Explore how to achieve a more 'authentic' sound, covering interpretation of rhythm and ornaments, tone, embellishment and more.0000-Available|2026-07-20 00:00:00This course will explore how you can play Baroque music on a modern instrument but still create a sense of authenticity through greater awareness of stylistic traits. You will increase your understanding of how composers and performers in the 17th and 18th centuries used and understood notation, and bring new life to your performance of this music.Love early music and want to play it with more awareness of style? Explore how to achieve a more 'authentic' sound, covering interpretation of rhythm and ornaments, tone, embellishment and more.Rhetoric in early Baroque music<br/>Ornamentation in French and Italian music<br/>Dance music.Recognise and interpret the implications of rhythmic notation in Baroque music<br/>Recognise and interpret ornamentation symbols<br/>Embellish a melody line in appropriate style<br/>Understand how to interpret Baroque dance music.This course is for players of modern instruments with at least 5 years’ experience and good music reading skills.<br/>Suitable instruments include: all orchestral strings, recorder, flute, oboe, bassoon, piano.<br/>You should be able to follow written and verbal instructions in English, read hand-outs and take part in group discussion.Tutor explanation and demonstration<br/>Feedback on your own and others’ playing<br/>Detailed study of musical scores and information from Baroque performance treatises<br/>Listening to and discussing different interpretations.Please bring your instrument (a piano is provided), as well as a notebook, pen and pencil.<br/>Music will be provided by the tutor.City Lit also offers a wide range of instrumental classes for violin/viola, cello, flute and piano/keyboards, String ensemble, String school, Chamber music and Orchestra workshop.<br/>You may also be interested in <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/music/music-historytarget=_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Music history courses</a>, which cover a wide range of topics from medieval to contemporary popular music.MusicEnsemblesconfigurable
