Baroque improvisation described as centered on which instrument family?

• A. Strings
• B. Woodwinds
• C. Brass
• D. Keyboard

Answer: (A)

Baroque improvisation centers on performers embellishing melodies on the spot, and the string players, especially the violinist, are at the heart of that tradition. In many Baroque pieces, notably violin concertos and chamber works, the soloist would insert cadenzas and improvised ornaments to showcase virtuosity. This practice made the string family the most prominent source of improvised, virtuosic flow in performance. While keyboard players did real-time realization of figured bass and continuo, the specific fame of improvised melodic embellishment is most closely associated with strings, particularly the violin.