Prelude and Fugue in F major, WTC II
About this arrangement
This is No. 11 in Book 2 of the Well-Tempered Clavier, compiled around 1742 in Leipzig. The fugue is unusual: it has no regular countersubject and no stretto, inversion, augmentation or diminution.
In the prelude, hold the long notes for their full value so the sound stays full. In the fugue, keep the sixteenths light and flowing, and find the subject in the soprano, alto and bass entries. Loop the central episode at 50%.
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 F major?
This is advanced. The prelude needs a full, sustained sound, and the fugue is 99 bars of light, quick sixteenths in three voices.
02 How long is BWV 880?
Our score has 171 bars in total: the prelude is 72 bars and the fugue is 99 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.
04 How should the BWV 880 fugue be played?
The only known performance instruction from Bach's circle, passed down by Kirnberger, says it should be played in a flowing motion, lightly and without the slightest finger pressure.