• Understand Baroque sonata structure and form
• Master fast Allegro tempo with control and clarity
• Apply appropriate ornamentation to Baroque repertoire
• Develop musical phrasing in extended movements

Introduction

Congratulations! You're now ready to tackle complete Baroque sonata movements—the pinnacle of recorder repertoire. An Allegro movement demands technical facility, musicality, and stamina. This lesson introduces the style, techniques, and practice strategies needed for success.

Baroque Sonata Form

Typical Baroque recorder sonatas (by Handel, Telemann, Corelli, Vivaldi) have 4 movements:

• I. Slow movement (Adagio, Largo) - Expressive, heavily ornamented
• II. Fast movement (Allegro, Vivace) - Today's focus! Energetic, virtuosic
• III. Slow movement (Adagio) - Often short, bridge to finale
• IV. Fast movement (Allegro, Presto) - Brilliant finale, often dance-like

Characteristics of Baroque Allegro

• Continuous motion - Eighth or sixteenth note passages that flow without stopping
• Sequences - Melodic patterns that repeat at different pitch levels
• Terraced dynamics - Sudden changes (forte to piano) rather than gradual crescendos
• Articulation variety - Mix of slurred and tongued passages
• Binary form - Two sections (A-B), each repeated

Technical Requirements

1. Finger Velocity

Fast passages require relaxed, efficient finger motion.

2. Breath Management

Long phrases demand strategic breathing. Baroque music often has natural breath points at cadences and rests.

Breathing strategy:

• Plan breaths in advance—mark your score
• Breathe at phrase endings (cadences)
• Quick "catch breaths" in rests
• Never breathe in the middle of a sequence

3. Rhythmic Precision

Ornamentation in Allegro Movements

Unlike slow movements (which are heavily ornamented), fast movements require restraint:

• Cadential trills - Almost always add a trill on the penultimate note of major cadences
• Occasional mordents - On long notes for emphasis
• Grace notes sparingly - Only where they enhance the line
• Repeats - Add more ornaments the second time through each section

Sample Allegro Passage

Practice Strategies for Fast Movements

The "Slow-to-Fast" Method

1. Week 1-2: Play at half tempo with perfect accuracy. No mistakes!
2. Week 3-4: Increase to 75% tempo. Add articulation details.
3. Week 5-6: Reach 90% tempo. Add ornamentation.
4. Week 7+: Performance tempo. Focus on musical expression.

Section Work

Don't practice the whole movement start-to-finish every time:

• Isolate difficult passages (4-8 measures)
• Perfect each section individually
• Chain sections together gradually
• Only run through the complete movement after sections are solid

Hands Separate (Fingers Without Blowing)

Practice finger patterns silently to build muscle memory without fatiguing your embouchure.

Musical Expression

Technical mastery is not enough! The music must speak:

• Shape phrases - Subtle dynamics within the terraced framework
• Drive to cadences - Build intensity toward phrase endings
• Vary repeats - Make the second time through more ornate or more intense
• Dance character - Many Allegros are based on dances (gigue, courante). Feel the underlying rhythm!

Recommended First Sonatas

These are excellent choices for your first complete Baroque sonata:

• Handel - Sonata in G minor (Op. 1 No. 2) - Well-balanced, beautiful themes
• Telemann - Sonata in F major - Charming, not overly difficult
• Loeillet - Sonata in G major - Elegant, good for beginners to Baroque style

Practice Routine (30-40 minutes daily)

1. Technical exercises (scales, velocity drills) - 10 minutes
2. Difficult passages at slow tempo - 10 minutes
3. Section work at medium tempo - 10 minutes
4. Run-through or musical phrasing work - 10 minutes