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JS Bach - Prelude & Fugue in C Minor, BWV 847

This section contains walk-throughs and lessons on Preludes and Fugues from Book I of J.S. Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier.... Read >>

JS Bach - Partita No. 1 in B-flat Major (Menuets & Gigue, BWV 825)

This set of resources provides walkthroughs for movements from Bach's Partita No. 1 in B-flat Major (BWV 825) featured in the ABRSM examination syllabus. Menuets I and II (ABRSM Grade 6) make a beautiful contrasting pair of dances whereas the Gigue (ABRSM Grade 7) is unusual among Bach’s Gigues -... Read >>

J. S. Bach - Invention No. 14 in B flat, BWV 785

ABRSM Grade 6 – A1

Preview (please log-in or subscribe to see full video) Resources & links This piece is available for individual purchase as a digital download here or in print as part of the Piano Exam Pieces 2025 & 2026 Grade 6 publication here. Open domain editions are also available here. You can listen to a recording of this piece and others from this grade on Spotify using this link. ... Read >>

Partita No. 6 in E minor

BWV 830

The Toccata from Bach’s Partita No. 6 in E minor, BWV 830, is a popular choice for piano diplomas. These videos (with accompanying study edition for the Fugue) will show you how to approach learning, interpreting and performing this magnificent work.... Read >>

JS Bach - Prelude in C minor, BWV 999

ABRSM Grade 4 – A1

Built from a harmonic progression and originally written for lute we can recreate some of the resonance of that instrument either by short touches of pedal, or by overholding some notes of the broken chords. Resources & links Piano Exam Pieces 2021 & 2021, Grade 4 is available from the ABRSM online shop here. The syllabus upon which these Practising the Piano Online Academy materials are based is © by The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and is reproduced by permission of... Read >>

JS Bach - Fantasia in C minor, BWV 906

ABRSM Grade 8 - A1

This highly chromatic and brilliant piece featuring hand crossings and running triplets shows Bach trying his hand at the new galant and expressive styles of composition that his sons were writing in. The contrasting second theme in the relative major returns in the home key after a development of the main themes, predicting Classical sonata form. Do not be intimidated by the array of ornaments, these can be organised rhythmically based on the realisations presented in the edition.... Read >>

JS Bach - Invention No.12 in A Major, BWV 783

The Two-Part Inventions of Bach were written for his son, Wilhelm Friedemann, and are as much models of compositional technique as they are studies for the equal development of both hands at the keyboard. We find two main ideas – a rhythmical, percussive motive juxtaposed with a spinning motive in semiquavers. Preview (please log-in or subscribe to see full video) Resources & links Click here to purchase sheet music from the Trinity College online store (external link). ... Read >>

JS Bach - Prelude & Fugue in E Major, BWV 854

Many players are confused by the subject of pedalling in Bach. Should we use it, or should we avoid it? While it is certainly true that none of Bach’s keyboard instruments had any type of device to sustain the sound after the finger left the key, piano sound without pedal can be dry and academic-sounding. I suggest learning the piece with no pedal until we have found the best sound, and then add short, shallow dabs of pedal in those places where we feel the need for some extra resonance or colour. ... Read >>

JS Bach - Sinfonia No.15 in B minor, BWV 801

ABRSM Grade 7 – A1

Bach’s aims for the Inventions and Sinfonias were to encourage composition (an understanding and appreciation of musical structure), to foster good playing in two and three parts (or voices), and above all "to arrive at a cantabile style of playing". Apart from good tone, a singing style relies on phrase shaping, an appropriate range of dynamics and colour, as well as articulation.... Read >>