It's traditional for cello players to hate on Pachelbel's Canon in D, complaining of the boredom of repeating the same 8 notes. However, being musical requires playing those 8 notes differently each time.
- Dynamics between variations (phrases): different variations have different energy, so should be played at different loudnesses.
- Dynamics within a variation: for example, crescendo or decrescendo at the end of a variation leading into the next. These dynamics differ between variations.
- Articulation, how much space between notes: some variations call for detached or separation between notes.
- Vibrato: depending on the variation and the desired style of interpretation.
- Tempo changes possible depending on interpretation.
- Basso continuo: the cello is part of the group of musicians within the ensemble contributing to basso continuo, which is intended to be improvised, though typically most of the improvisation happens in the harpsichord. However, we could imagine fancy basso continuo in which the cello is sometimes given freedom to improvise; maybe some other instrument takes over the bass line, or maybe the bass drops out for artistic effect.
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