Rhythm – There is a continuity of rhythm. Rhythmic patterns heard at the beginning of a piece are repeated throughout it. This rhythmic continuity provides a compelling drive and energy-the forward motion is rarely interrupted.
Dynamics – The volume tends to stay constant for a stretch of time. When dynamics do shift, the shift is usually sudden, like physically stepping from one level to another. This alternation between loud and soft is called terraced dynamics.
Melody – baroque melody also creates a feeling of continuity. An opening melody will be heard again and again in the course of a baroque piece. And even when a melody is presented in varied form, its character tends to remain constant. This sense of directed motion is frequently the result of a melodic sequence. Many baroque melodies sound elaborate and ornamental, and they are not easy to sing or remember.
Unity of Mood – A baroque piece usually expresses one basic mood: what begins joyfully will remain joyful throughout. Emotional states like joy, grief and agitation were represented at the time, these moods were called affections.
Words and Music - Baroque composers used music to depict the meaning of specific words. Heaven might be set to a high tone, and hell to a low tone. Rising scales represented upward motion; descending scales depicted the reverse.