Prelude and Fugue in G-sharp minor, WTC II
About this arrangement
This is No. 18 in Book 2 of the Well-Tempered Clavier, compiled around 1742 in Leipzig. A second subject enters part way through the fugue. Later the first and second subjects sound together, the second entering a quarter note later, an octave higher or lower, and this pairing returns five times.
Play the prelude hands separately, watching the accidentals. In the fugue, learn the first subject and countersubject, then the second subject, then loop the passages where both subjects combine 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 G-sharp minor, BWV 887?
It is advanced: the fugue is the longest on these pages and relies on chromatic lines, and the prelude has dense accidentals.
02 How long is BWV 887?
Our score has 243 bars in total: the fugue is 143 bars and the prelude is 100, because our score writes the repeats out. Printed with repeat signs, the prelude is 50 bars.
03 What should I practise first?
Learn the prelude first, hands separately. Then learn the fugue's first subject on its own before the second subject appears.
04 Where do the two subjects combine?
The second subject starts part way through the fugue. Later it sounds together with the first, entering a quarter note later and an octave higher or lower.