Main characteristics of the Renaissance

• PERFORMING MEDIUM: 

·During the Renaissance era music was primarily performed by vocal groups (ensembles of one to eight parts). 

·When instruments were used with voices, they often performed the same lines. 

• RHYTHM:

·As in the Medieval period, tempos were still determined by the musician as well as the sacred character of the piece or text.

·During the Renaissance era, rhythm began to increase in complexity, and by the end of this period, regular meters began to appear.

• MELODY:

·Melodic range increased during this era, and melodic movement generally had a smooth consonant contour, with small conjunct intervals predominating.

• HARMONY:

·Composers tried  to blend the sounds of voices and instruments during this era. 

·Towards the end of the sixteenth century, modern harmonic tendencies begin to appear.

• TEXTURE:

·Polyphonic texture was predominately used, and music with many separate lines provided different sonorities and densities.

• FORM: 

·Important genres during this period included the following large forms: motet, mass, madrigal, chanson (French for song), keyboard music, instrumental consort music and instrumental dance music.