How To Teach Bach Little Prelude in C Minor

Today we’re talking about how to teach the Little Prelude in C Minor, BWV 934 by Johann Sebastian Bach. This is a beautiful piece that can help our students learn to play Baroque music expressively.

Recommended editions:

• Vienna Urtext Little Preludes and Fugues

• Henle Urtext Little Preludes and Fugues

• Alfred Masterworks 18 Short Preludes (Willard Palmer)

• Masterwork Classics book 8 (Jane Magrath)

Syllabus listings for difficulty level:

• RCM Level 6

• Illinois AIM Level 7

• Jane Magrath Level 7-8

Skills and knowledge required to play this piece well:

• 3/4 time signature, only eighths and quarters - minuet style

• C minor key signature, with modulation to the relative major, E-flat

• Many accidentals

• Binary form

• Many sequences!

• Basic polyphonic style - independent LH with large intervals, several octaves

• Homophonic movement - ability to have basic understanding of simplified chord structure

• Articulation

• Appoggiaturas and mordents

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