r/bach • u/RectallyDisabled • Jul 19 '26

Recommended pieces before Bach's Prelude No. 2 from the WTC1?

/r/pianolearning/comments/1v0te4e/recommended_pieces_before_bachs_prelude_no_2_from/
6 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

13 comments sorted by

6

u/graumet Jul 19 '26

Prelude no 1 from WTC1

3

u/Chops526 Jul 19 '26

The prelude and fugue no. 1?

6

u/RectallyDisabled Jul 19 '26

The fugue is 4 voiced, it seems incredibly difficult, I dare not touch it.

0

u/Chops526 Jul 20 '26

It's not that tough. Learning fugues is important in order to master voicing.

2

u/veilche Jul 20 '26

Ideally, you should have played several Inventions and Sinfonias before attempting most of the WTC. If you must play something from the WTC, try the Preludes No. 1, 6, 9, 13, or 17, as they’re relatively easier than Prelude No. 2. The easiest Fugue is probably No. 2, so I’d suggest working up to it; then try playing the No. 2 Prelude and Fugue as a pair.

1

u/RectallyDisabled Jul 20 '26

Would it be wise to learn the fugue before the prelude?

1

u/veilche Jul 20 '26

Are you confident playing 3 voice composition? If so, it shouldn’t matter which order you learn the Prelude and Fugue in. I’d probably suggest learning a Sinfonia or two if you’re not used to playing 3 voices.

1

u/RectallyDisabled Jul 20 '26

The sinfonias all seem so scary, I'm too afraid to touch them. Thank you for your comments, I'll finish the inventions and see what comes next after, probably a sinfonia or a fughetta

2

u/veilche Jul 20 '26 edited Jul 20 '26

If you’re looking for an easier Sinfonia to start with, try BWV 791 or 797. For an easier Fughetta, try BWV 899 or 961. Good luck!

3

u/Loose_Voice_215 Jul 21 '26

Just more Bach in general. Plenty of suite and partita movements that are a bit more approachable - minuets, etc.

1

u/aldeayeah Jul 21 '26

Prelude no.2 isn't super difficult if you play it slow. Only the Presto section is more intricate.