Ornamentation & Diminution 

Sources about basso continuo often include information about other aspects of performance practice such as ornamentation and diminution. In the course of my research I began to study many other sources, especially those focussing on particular types of ornamentation such as early seventeenth-century diminution, keyboard ornamentation, playing doubles of movements etc. etc. Being able to improvise ornaments and all kinds of passages and cadenzas is an essential requirement for every musician aiming at historically informed performances of early music, whether continuo players, singers, or players of melodic instruments. Understanding of style is essential as well, so you will find ornamentation styles of various countries and periods under the sub-menus.