Prelude and Fugue in A major, WTC II
About this arrangement
This is No. 19 in Book 2 of the Well-Tempered Clavier, compiled around 1742 in Leipzig.
Play the prelude hands separately, keeping the 12/8 groups even. In the fugue, learn the subject alone and mark each entry. Loop the busiest bars at 50% before joining the voices.
Start with short loops.
Use the section list as a practice map. Start at 50% tempo, loop one section, then return to the full piece once the hand shape feels stable.
Choose Right or Left to focus on one hand. Wait for note checks the highlighted notes as you play them on the screen or a connected MIDI keyboard.
Before you practice.
01 How hard is Bach's Prelude and Fugue in A major, BWV 888?
Advanced. The prelude needs an even touch in 12/8, and the fugue asks you to keep the lines clear.
02 How long is BWV 888?
Our score has 62 bars in total: the prelude is 33 bars in 12/8 and the fugue is 29 bars in 4/4.
03 What should I practise first?
Start with the prelude, hands separately. Then learn the fugue subject on its own before adding other voices.