1. Listen to several of the movements from the Pope Marcellus Mass by Palestrina. What do you note about the melodic lines, the use of polyphony and dynamics, and the setting of the words? Now listen to an example of English church music from roughly the same period. An example by Thomas Tallis would be appropriate, especially 'Spem in Alium'. Is there a difference in the two styles? Listen to some examples of church music from earlier times such as work by Dufay. What developments in the polyphonic style are in evidence?

2. Find some Renaissance dance music by well-known composers of these types of pieces such as Susato or Michael Praetorius. Play these using your own instruments or better still using typical instruments of the period such as recorders and percussion. Now compare these to a Gavotte or minuet by Handel or the minuet and trio section of a symphony by, for example, Mozart. What differences in style are apparent? Can you find up to ten dance movements from twentieth century works that also use the dance forms started in this Renaissance period?

3. Find a book of English carols or hymns and try to re-familiarise yourself with the sounds of these by singing them, if possible, in three or four parts with other students. Now find a book of chorales, or find extracts from a German work of the late Renaissance or Baroque system and sing these too.

4. Find your own folk tune or nursery rhyme and try to harmonise as if it were a Bach chorale. Try also to embellish the tune with extravagant melodic lines.

5. Take a good look at a modern violin and cello and consider why they are design classics that have lasted as instruments without modification. Also have a good look at a modern guitar, look at representations of a guitar in painting throughout the ages and consider why this particular instrument has changed in design. How has this been reflected in the music written for all these instruments?