Prelude and Fugue in E-flat major, WTC II
About this arrangement
This is No. 7 in Book 2 of the Well-Tempered Clavier, compiled around 1742 in Leipzig. Mozart later transcribed BWV 876 for string ensemble (K. 405, No. 2).
Play the prelude hands separately and keep the 9/8 swing even. In the fugue, learn the subject alone and mark each entry. Loop the busiest bars at 50% before you play at full speed.
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 E-flat major?
This is advanced. Both pieces are long, with a 71-bar prelude and a 70-bar fugue, so stamina and clear voice-leading matter.
02 How long is BWV 876?
Our score has 141 bars in total: the prelude is 71 bars and the fugue is 70 bars.
03 What should I practise first?
Start with the prelude to get used to the key and the touch. For the fugue, learn the subject on its own, then add the other voices one at a time.